Rachel Subramaniam, BSc, MBA
In recent years, vaping has gained popularity as a substitute for smoking traditional cigarettes. As a result, it has become particularly prevalent among adolescents and young adults. Although some studies indicate that vaping may be less detrimental to health than smoking, it is crucial to acknowledge that neither practice is beneficial for lung health. This blog post will explore the effects of vaping on the lungs and the potential risks of engaging in the “safer” alternative.
What is Vaping?
A vape, or an e-cigarette, heats a liquid that often contains a blend of flavorings, aromatic additives, and either nicotine or THC (the psychoactive compound in marijuana). This creates an aerosol that is inhaled. Although regular tobacco cigarettes contain about 7000 chemicals, most of which are toxic, there is variation surrounding the number and composition of chemicals in vapes depending on what substances are in the vape.1 While it is true that vaping exposes an individual to fewer toxic chemicals than a traditional cigarette, vaping aerosol still contains some potentially harmful chemicals that can coat the lungs and cause damage.
The Effect of Vaping on the Lungs
E-liquid blends are dissolved in an oily, liquid base. There is some speculation that certain vaporized components of the oil can penetrate deep into the lungs, subsequently causing an inflammatory reaction. There are a few substances found in vapes that are linked to lung irritation, including:
- Vitamin E: Although safe when taken orally or applied topically on the skin, it is likely a lung irritant when inhaled.
- Diacetyl: This is a food additive that is used to enhance e-cigarette flavours. It is known to cause damage to small passageways in the lungs.
- Formaldehyde: This substance is a toxic chemical that can cause lung disease.
- Acrolein: This toxic chemical is typically used as a weed killer, but it can also damage lungs.2
As vaping is a fairly recent phenomenon, more research needs to be conducted in order to gain a stronger foundation on the effects of vaping on the lungs. Currently, we have some evidence to suggest that several lung diseases are associated with vaping. These include:
- Popcorn Lung or Bronchiolitis Obliterans (BO): The inhalation of diacetyl can cause inflammation that may lead to irreversible scarring in the small branches of the airways. This can make breathing difficult and has no lasting treatments.
- Lipoid Pneumonia: This disease develops when fatty acids enter the lungs as a result of inhaling oily substances found in e-liquid. This sparks an inflammatory response in the lung. This can result in chronic cough, shortness of breath, and coughing up blood or bloody mucous.
- Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung): This occurs when vaping ruptures the air blisters on the top of lungs, resulting in a collapsed lung.2
- E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI): EVALI is triggered by inhaling harmful substances from vapes, causing an inflammatory response in the lungs. In February 2020, 2807 cases of EVALI were confirmed and 68 deaths were reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).1
Additional Health Risks of Vaping
Although some damage to your lungs may heal or improve with time or medications, other consequences of vaping, such as lung scarring, are permanent. Consistent irritation to your lungs via vaping can lead to or exacerbate health problems such as asthma, lung cancer, and COPD. 3,4
While vaping may be marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, it can still harm lung health. Thus, it is essential to be aware of the potential health risks associated with vaping. If you’re looking to quit smoking, speak to your healthcare provider about the best options for you.
Sources:
- Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). 5 truths you need to know about vaping. Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping
- Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). What does vaping do to your lungs? Retrieved May 8, 2023, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-does-vaping-do-to-your-lungs
- Health Canada. (n.d.). Vaping – The Risks. Retrieved May 15, 2023, from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/smoking-tobacco/vaping/risks.html
- Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Vaping. Retrieved May 15, 2023, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21162-vaping