Inhale this: Why vaping is destroying your lungs

Vaping may seem like a safer alternative to smoking, but it can have serious consequences for your lungs, too. As more people—especially teens and young adults—turn to e-cigarettes, the long-term effects on lung health are becoming increasingly clear.

Let’s explore what vaping does to your lungs so you can make informed choices for your lung health.

What does vaping do to your lungs?

Vaping has become a popular alternative to smoking, especially among younger people, but it’s far from harmless. E-cigarettes deliver nicotine and other chemicals through an inhaled aerosol, which can have serious impacts on lung health.

E-cigarettes are powered by the volatilizing of propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin, both of which are converted by some e-cigarettes into a substance like formaldehyde or acetaldehyde. These substances have known toxicities and are linked to asthma and cancer. That a higher incidence of asthma exists in vapers should therefore come as no surprise.

And those sweet-smelling e-cigs? Many are laced with diacetyl or acetyl propionyl which, while approved for “ingestion,” have now been traced to serious effects on the lungs when vaped.

Is vaping worse than smoking?

Wondering how vaping compares to smoking? While traditional cigarettes contain tar and harmful toxins, the liquid used in e-cigarettes also contains potentially dangerous substances. These chemicals can irritate the lungs, leading to inflammation and potential damage to lung tissue.

While vaping may reduce exposure to some of the most dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes, it is not without risks. Vaping liquids still contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, and other chemicals that may harm lung tissue.

It’s important to keep in mind that vaping products are not as heavily regulated as traditional cigarettes, meaning users may be unknowingly inhaling harmful substances such as heavy metals or toxic flavoring agents.

Ultimately, while vaping may be less harmful than smoking in some ways, it’s certainly not risk-free and poses its own serious health concerns, especially for children and teens.

Vaping side effects

People tend to think of vaping as “safer” than smoking, but the truth is, vaping isn’t safe at all. The dangers of vaping include lung inflammation, chronic lung issues, organ damage and more.

It’s important to be aware of vaping side effects so you can make an informed choice about what’s best for your health.

Lung inflammation

One of the most concerning effects of vaping is the increased risk of lung inflammation. Inhaling the aerosol from e-cigarettes can cause the airways to become irritated and inflamed. This can lead to symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing.

Chronic lung issues

Over time, inflammation may contribute to more severe conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis or other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The lungs are designed to filter out harmful particles, but when exposed to the chemicals in e-cigarettes, they may struggle to keep up, causing damage to the respiratory system.

EVALI (e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury)

Caused by vaping, EVALI leads to widespread lung damage and symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath and chest pain. EVALI can be fatal.

Addiction

E-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance. Nicotine causes changes in your brain that make it very difficult to stop vaping once you start.

Lung infections from vaping

Vaping has the potential to increase your risk of lung infections. Vaping can compromise the immune system in the lungs, making it easier for bacteria and viruses to enter and cause infections.

Organ damage

The substances in e-cigarettes can damage other organs in your body, beyond just your lungs. Nicotine is known to harm brain development and increase your risk of heart attack by narrowing arteries and raising blood pressure.

Does vaping cause lung cancer?

We know smoking cigarettes increases your risk of lung cancer, but does vaping cause lung cancer? The relationship between vaping and lung cancer is still being studied, but research so far does suggest potential risks.

One of the main concerns is the presence of harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and acrolein, which are produced when certain vaping liquids are heated. These chemicals have been associated with lung irritation and damage, and long-term exposure could contribute to lung cancer.

Although definitive evidence linking vaping directly to lung cancer is still lacking, it’s best to avoid vaping, especially if you have other risk factors for lung cancer.

How to quit vaping

Making the choice to quit vaping is an important step for your health. Quitting vaping can be challenging, but with the right strategies and support, you can break the habit and take charge of your lung health.

If you want to quit vaping but aren’t sure how, here are a few tips:

• Start by setting a clear quit date.
• Gradually reduce the amount of nicotine in your e-cigarette, which can help ease withdrawal symptoms.
• Identify triggers that make you want to vape, such as stress or certain environments, and find healthier ways to cope, like exercise, deep breathing or your favorite hobby.
• Talk to your healthcare provider. They can offer advice and recommend resources like nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medications to ease cravings.
• Get support from a support group, therapist or school counselor.

The bottom line: if you don’t vape, don’t start. Go for a walk in a park and enjoy some fresh, clean air. If you do vape, take steps toward quitting today.

Talk to your primary care doctor today  if you’re worried about your lung health.