Selena Gomez has warned about the difficulty of quitting nicotine after saying her past vaping addiction may have permanently changed her voice.
The singer and actress made the admission in an Instagram Story, saying she had used nicotine vapes heavily and believed the habit had affected the way she sounds.
“I’m not gonna be able to change my voice. I vaped nicotine a lot and, just so everyone knows, nicotine is so hard to quit,” Gomez said.
She urged people who vape, or are considering trying it, to avoid the habit.
“It’s just not worth it,” she said. “It’s so stupid and it’s 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.”
Gomez said she had since stopped vaping and was determined to remain nicotine-free, while acknowledging that quitting had been difficult.
“But I am really excited because I stopped and I just hope I can keep it up. It’s really hard, but I know if you are going through something, you can get through it too,” she said.
Her comments come amid continuing concern about the health risks associated with vapes and e-cigarettes. Australian health authorities say the products are not considered safe, with known risks including persistent coughing, nausea, vomiting, nicotine dependence and respiratory problems.
The nicotine used in vapes is highly addictive and may also affect mental health, while vaping has been associated with permanent lung damage. Since July 2024, Australian laws have restricted the sale of vapes and vaping products to pharmacies, regardless of whether they contain nicotine, for purposes including helping people quit smoking or manage nicotine dependence.
Selena Gomez’s health struggles
Gomez has previously discussed other possible reasons for changes in her voice. During an Instagram Live in December 2025, she said her throat sometimes swelled internally as a result of her ongoing battle with lupus.
“I get weird. My throat kind of swells inside sometimes. That’s all. That’s good,” she said at the time.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues. Gomez underwent a kidney transplant in 2017 after complications linked to the condition.
She has also spoken about the effects of medication used to treat lupus, telling fans in 2023 that it caused her to “hold a lot of water weight”.
“I would much rather be healthy and take care of myself,” she said. “My medications are important, and I believe that they’re what helps me.”
Gomez began her career as a child actress before becoming a recording artist and starring in the television series Only Murders in the Building. She married music producer Benny Blanco in September 2025.
