American singer and actress Selena Gomez has said that vaping nicotine has changed her voice, expressing concern that the effects may be irreversible."I'm not gonna be able to change my voice," the 34-year-old singer said in a candid Instagram post on Sunday. "I vaped nicotine a lot."Describing how difficult it is to quit nicotine, Gomez added that "it's just not worth it"."It is so stupid and..it changed my voice. So, if you guys don't like listening to my voice, that's totally understandable. I don't mind. Just don't listen to it. Just don't listen," she said.Gomez also expressed hope that she would be able to quit vaping for good."It's really hard, but I know if you are going through something you can get through it too. It sucks," she added.How Does Vaping Affect Your Vocal Cords?Vaping is often perceived as a cleaner alternative to smoking because e-cigarettes do not burn tobacco. However, the aerosol produced by these devices is not harmless water vapor and can contain substances that may affect respiratory and cardiovascular health.E-cigarette aerosol may contain:Nicotine: A highly addictive substance.Heavy metals: Including lead, nickel and tin.Volatile organic compounds: Some of which can be harmful.Flavoring chemicals: Which may have different effects when inhaled.Ultrafine particles: That can penetrate deep into the lungs.These substances may also affect the throat and vocal cords, potentially contributing to irritation, dryness and changes in voice quality.Also read: 5.4 Million Over-16s Now Vape in Britain: Why E-Cigarettes May Not Be SaferCan Vaping Cause Hoarseness and Voice Changes?Research suggests that e-cigarette use may affect the vocal folds, the structures in the voice box that vibrate to produce sound.A 2025 study published in the Journal of Voice examined the potential effects of e-cigarette use on vocal health.“E-cigarette use can cause inflammation of the epithelium and mucosa of the vocal folds, and their components can cause dryness, compromising vocal homeostasis, increasing the risk of coughing and breathing difficulties, deteriorating the vocal folds, and worsening voice quality,” said the researchers from Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil.By irritating and drying the vocal folds, e-cigarette aerosol may contribute to hoarseness, coughing and vocal strain. However, more research is needed to establish the long-term effects of vaping on the voice, including whether it can cause permanent voice changes.Selena Gomez Has Previously Spoken About Throat SwellingRead More: FDA To Speed Up Approval Process For Vapes & Nicotine Pouches: Does It Mean They Are Safer Than Cigarettes?Gomez, who has lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, has previously suggested that she experiences throat swelling that may affect her voice.During an Instagram Q&A in December, she said: "Sometimes things happen. I get weird. My throat kind of swells inside sometimes. That's all."Lupus can affect different parts of the body and, in some cases, cause inflammation involving the larynx, or voice box. This may contribute to hoarseness, a raspy or breathy voice, vocal fatigue or changes in pitch.It is not possible to determine whether Gomez's reported voice changes are related to vaping, lupus or another cause based on her public comments alone.When Should You Seek Medical Advice for Voice Changes? Persistent hoarseness, a raspy voice or difficulty speaking should not be ignored, particularly if symptoms do not improve. A clinician may examine the vocal cords to identify the cause.People experiencing breathing difficulty or significant throat swelling should seek urgent medical attention.Quitting vaping reduces further exposure to potentially irritating substances. Behavioral support and appropriate smoking-cessation treatments can help people manage nicotine dependence and withdrawal symptoms.