The Real Impact of Vaping on Drug Tests Science vs. Social Media Myths
Vaping has rewritten modern nicotine culture. It’s sleek. It’s discreet. It smells better than cigarettes. And thanks to TikTok and social media, it’s wrapped in an aura of “safe,” “clean,” and “it doesn’t show up on tests.” But that last claim the idea that vaping can’t affect a drug test is one of the biggest misconceptions circulating online. For safety-sensitive workers, employers, and especially commercial drivers, understanding what vaping actually does to drug tests is more important than ever. Social media trends don’t match scientific reality not even close. Let’s break down what vaping really does (and doesn’t do) to test results. Myth #1: “Vaping is just vapor. There’s nothing to detect.” This is the most widely believed myth. In reality: Vaping produces aerosol not vapor filled with chemical solvents, nicotine or THC molecules, and other compounds that your body metabolizes. Drug tests don't look for “smoke.” They look fo...