E-cigarettes have long been considered a safer alternative for smokers. However, recent reports and studies suggest that the mysterious compounds produced during e-cigarette use might trigger lung issues in a different way than traditional smoking. In particular, concerns are mounting about the unknown long-term effects and risks associated with e-cigarette use.
A troubling case in the United States highlighted these concerns when a 17-year-old girl was diagnosed with “popcorn lung” after vaping secretly for three years. Popcorn lung, scientifically known as bronchiolitis obliterans, is an irreversible condition that damages the small airways in the lungs, impairing the ability to breathe. Although her case is rare, it may reflect a wider issue. In 2019, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported nearly 3,000 cases of lung injuries linked to e-cigarette use (referred to as EVALI), resulting in 68 deaths, mostly among teens and young adults.
Professor Donald O’Shea, a chemistry expert at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, states that while severe cases often make headlines, the more significant issue is the slow, long-term damage to the lungs of e-cigarette users. Despite e-cigarettes sometimes being presented as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, scientists remain concerned about the long-term effects on lung health, which are still poorly understood.
What Happens When You Vape?
When you inhale from an e-cigarette, a battery activates a metal coil that heats a liquid inside the device, turning it into an aerosol that is then inhaled into the lungs. This e-liquid typically contains nicotine salts and various flavorings, which can combine to create thousands of potential chemical compounds. What is not known is how these heated chemicals affect the lungs when inhaled.
Donal O’Shea explains that inhaling heated chemicals into sensitive lung tissue—tissue that doesn’t repair easily—can cause prolonged scarring and eventually lead to conditions like popcorn lung. The danger lies in the fact that no one has thoroughly tested what happens when these chemicals are heated and inhaled in such a manner.
Is Vaping Bad for Health?
Researchers are still studying the effects of vaping on human health, but concerning patterns are emerging. Studies show that vaping causes inflammation in the lungs, and users report symptoms like coughing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath.
Professor O’Shea points out that, historically, it took decades of research to prove that tobacco smoking caused diseases, with companies selling tobacco products denying any harm. Sadly, he believes that the same situation is playing out with vaping.
One concerning factor is that vaping appears to be particularly harmful to teenagers. Since their lung, heart, and brain tissues are still developing, they are more vulnerable to the toxins they inhale. Nicotine, a key ingredient in most e-cigarettes, is highly addictive. Many teens experience anxiety and irritability just hours after their last vape session.
Health professionals are increasingly worried that e-cigarettes are making it easier for young people to become addicted to nicotine. This is a stark contrast to previous concerns about cigarette smoking, which had a longer history of health warnings.
The Risks of Vaping and EVALI
Among the 3,000 EVALI cases in the U.S., a particular substance called vitamin E acetate has been linked to the most fatal injuries. Vitamin E acetate is used as a thickening agent in some e-cigarette liquids. When heated, it produces a highly toxic gas called ketene, which can be inhaled into the lungs, causing severe damage.
In countries outside the U.S., the trend of e-cigarette use is growing, especially among young people. A study conducted in South Africa among 25,000 high school students found that 16.8% of students used e-cigarettes, compared to just 2% who smoked traditional cigarettes.
E-cigarettes have become popular due to their appealing flavors and the belief that they are less harmful than traditional smoking. This widespread belief has led many young people to take up vaping as an alternative to smoking.
Are E-Cigarettes a Better Alternative to Traditional Cigarettes?
For adult smokers trying to quit, e-cigarettes have been recommended as a safer alternative. However, for non-smokers—especially young people—vaping poses significant risks. O’Shea argues that e-cigarettes are not a solution to the smoking problem but merely shift addiction from one form to another.
In conclusion, while e-cigarettes are often touted as a safer choice compared to traditional cigarettes, their long-term health impacts remain largely unknown. What we do know is that vaping can cause significant damage to the lungs and may be especially harmful to teenagers, whose bodies are still developing. Therefore, moderation and caution are essential when it comes to e-cigarette use, and public health awareness about its potential risks must be further emphasized.
Related Topics
