The impact of e-cigarettes on lung health: 5 health risks you cannot ignore

Health risks of e-cigarettes: Long-term e-cigarette use has been linked to reduced lung function, particularly among young adults and teenagers (Image: Canva)

E-cigarettes have gained immense popularity over the past decade, advertised as a safer alternative to traditional smoking. However, as their use has grown, so has concern about their impact on lung health. While vaping is often perceived as less harmful than smoking combustible tobacco, emerging research suggests that it is not without significant health risks, especially to the lungs.

E-cigarettes work by heating a liquid, usually containing nicotine, flavourings, and various chemicals, to create an aerosol that users inhale. While they don't produce the harmful tar found in traditional cigarettes, the chemicals used in e-liquids can still be damaging when inhaled. Over time, the repeated exposure to these chemicals can lead to various lung-related health problems.

According to a report published in American Lung Association, using e-cigarettes poses health risks. The report by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine reviewed over 800 studies and found that e-cigarettes contain and release many toxic substances that can harm your lungs. Another study reveals that two main ingredients in e-cigarettes, propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, are toxic to lung cells. The more chemicals an e-liquid contains, the more harmful it can be.

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Here are 5 key health risks associated with e-cigarettes and lung health:

Popcorn lung: It is one of the most well-known risks of e-cigarette use. Popcorn lung is a condition officially known as bronchiolitis obliterans. This disease results in the scarring of tiny air sacs in the lungs, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, and irreversible lung damage. The disease got its nickname after workers in a popcorn factory developed lung damage from inhaling diacetyl, a chemical used to create buttery flavours. This same chemical has been found in many e-cigarette flavours, raising concerns that regular vaping could lead to similar lung injuries over time.

E-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury: The abbreviated  term EVALI refers to a severe lung condition linked to vaping. Symptoms of EVALI include difficulty breathing, chest pain, coughing, and even gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies vitamin E acetate, found in some THC-containing e-cigarettes, as a major but not sole cause of EVALI. A CDC report found this additive in 48 of 51 EVALI patients' bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids, but not in those of healthy ones.

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Vaping may also increase the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung condition that makes breathing difficult. Although e-cigarettes don’t contain many of the harmful toxins found in cigarettes, they still expose the lungs to chemicals that can trigger inflammation, leading to airway damage and reduced lung function. People who use e-cigarettes regularly may experience a decline in lung health similar to smokers, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other forms of obstructive lung disease.

Increased susceptibility to infections: E-cigarettes can compromise the immune system of the lungs, making users more vulnerable to respiratory infections. Studies have shown that using e-cigarettes can disrupt the normal function of neutrophils, which are key cells in the immune system. This disruption affects neutrophils both in the lungs and throughout the body. Repeated exposure to e-cigarettes can impair the ability of neutrophils to engulf and destroy harmful bacteria, increasing the risk of infections in the respiratory system.

Reduced lung function: Long-term e-cigarette use has been linked to reduced lung function, particularly among young adults and teenagers. Although vaping doesn't involve burning tobacco, the inhalation of chemicals, heavy metals, and fine particles in e-cigarette aerosols can lead to inflammation and damage in the lung tissues, reducing their capacity. Studies show that breathing in e-cigarette vapors during adolescence and early adulthood can harm lung health. Even if there is no noticeable inflammation, these vapours can still significantly damage lung function. This evidence suggests that e-cigarette use can have serious long-term effects on the lungs, particularly during critical periods of development.