Selena Gomez is facing criticism after revealing that she had been vaping nicotine frequently, with some fans questioning the decision given her history of lupus and a kidney transplant. The singer and actress has said she has stopped vaping, but her admission has sparked debate online about her health choices and the risks of nicotine use.
Some fans have been particularly critical of Gomez because she has spoken openly about her health struggles. Others have raised concerns about her transplanted kidney, although there is no evidence that vaping has caused her any kidney-related complications.
Selena Gomez Says Nicotine Affected Her Voice
Gomez addressed her nicotine use in an Instagram Stories video on 18 October 2026, admitting that quitting had not been easy. She also suggested that frequent vaping had affected her voice.
'Nicotine is so hard to quit... It's just not worth it,' she said, adding that she had stopped and hoped to keep it that way. She also encouraged others struggling with nicotine dependence to keep trying.
Selena Gomez opens up about how vaping nicotine changed her voice:“I’m not gonna be able to change my voice. Nicotine is so hard to quit… It’s just not worth it. […] I’m really excited because I stopped, and I just hope I can keep it up.” https://t.co/w4euexYK51
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 19, 2026
Her comments came after people had speculated about changes in her voice. During an Instagram Live in December 2025, Gomez had also mentioned that her throat sometimes swelled internally, although she did not link that experience to vaping at the time.
Her latest admission has since drawn attention to her nicotine use. Fans have debated whether the habit was worth the potential health risks, especially for someone like her who already went through lupus and a kidney transplant.
Fans Bring Up Her Lupus and Kidney Transplant
Gomez's medical history has been a major part of the discussion. In 2017, she revealed that she had undergone a kidney transplant after complications from lupus, an autoimmune disease. Her friend, actress Francia Raisa, donated the kidney. Since then, Gomez has spoken publicly about the struggles of living with lupus and the transplant.
One social media user criticised what they saw as a contradiction between celebrity health advocacy and personal choices, writing: 'heavily vaping nicotine despite surviving a kidney transplant and lupus is proof that public figures only care about health advocacy when they can monetize or use it for sympathy the selective awareness is loud they're a joke'.
@PopBase heavily vaping nicotine despite surviving a kidney transplant and lupus is proof that public figures only care about health advocacy when they can monetize or use it for sympathy the selective awareness is loud they're a joke
— shir (@artfuldakota) October 19, 2026
Another commenter took aim at Gomez's reported vaping habit and brought Raisa into the discussion, writing: 'You actually gotta be a different level of asshole to have your friend give you their kidney and still continue to smoke whilst disrespecting them publicly, tragic'.
You actually gotta be a different level of asshole to have your friend give you their kidney and still continue to smoke whilst disrespecting them publicly, tragic 😭
— n (@sss4nxnce) October 19, 2026
A third commenter questioned whether Gomez's past choices were being taken seriously enough, writing: 'I get her friend says there's no beef between them but that doesn't matter. Selena still drank and did drugs and now she has admitted to smoking a lot. She was super lucky to get a kidney when many are not and she abused it. I'm tired of people defending that.'
@sss4nxnce I get her friend says there’s no beef between them but that doesn’t matter. Selena still drank and did drugs and now she has admitted to smoking a lot. She was super lucky to get a kidney when many are not and she abused it. I’m tired of people defending that.
— Jordan 🦇 (@JordiMarieC) October 19, 2026
The comments show just how frustrated some fans are, but not everything being said online is backed up by facts. There's no confirmed evidence that vaping has damaged Gomez's transplanted kidney, and claims about her alleged drug use or her relationship with Raisa should not be taken at face value.
Kidney Transplants in the US and Around the World
Kidney transplants are far more common than many people realise, but getting a donor organ is still a major challenge. A record 27,660 kidney transplants were performed in 2024, while 143,982 adult candidates were listed for kidney transplantation in the US in 2024.
The need is just as striking worldwide. According to the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation, 110,467 kidney transplants were performed across 90 countries in 2024. Around 37% involved kidneys from living donors, while the rest came from deceased donors.
After a transplant, recipients need regular medical check-ups and usually take medication for the rest of their lives to help prevent organ rejection. Their progress and medical needs are monitored by their transplant team.
These facts help explain why kidney transplants are such an important topic, especially when celebrities discuss their health publicly. While fans may worry about Gomez's choices, there is no confirmed evidence that vaping has damaged her transplanted kidney and her medical condition cannot be determined from online comments alone.
Selena Gomez Says She Has Quit Vaping
Nicotine is addictive, and vaping can expose users to substances that may harm their health. Gomez's experience may encourage others who vape to consider quitting, particularly those who have found it difficult to stop.
Her admission has also given fans a glimpse into a habit she says she has left behind. While some continue to question her past decisions, she has publicly acknowledged the difficulty of quitting and encouraged others to keep trying.
The focus remains on Gomez's decision to stop vaping and whether she can maintain it. And despite the backlash, Gomez's message was clear: she believes nicotine is not worth the struggle and wants to stay away from it.
