Exploring the Link Between Vaping and Lung Cancer: Frequently Asked Questions
Vaping, a popular alternative to traditional smoking, has been a topic of debate in recent years due to concerns about its health effects.
Vape Lung Disease and Common Symptoms
Vape lung disease, also known as E-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) or vaping-associated pulmonary injury (VAPI), is a respiratory illness that can affect someone who has used e-cigarettes or other vaping products within the previous 90 days. Common symptoms include cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, chills, and weight loss. By February 2020, hospitals in the United States had admitted more than 2,800 people for treatment of vape lung disease, and health authorities had reported 68 deaths.
Potential Health Risks of Vaping
While vaping avoids some carcinogens found in traditional cigarette smoke, it still exposes users to several toxic and cancer-associated chemicals. E-cigarettes and other vaping products contain harmful chemicals, including known or suspected carcinogens such as nicotine derivatives, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), heavy metals, and other toxins.
The specific harmful chemicals linked to lung damage and cancer risk in vaping products include heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, nickel, and cadmium, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde, nicotine, ultrafine particles, thiocyanate, and potential carcinogens formed during vaping as byproducts when heating e-liquid components.
Long-Term Health Effects Unknown
E-cigarettes and other vaping products have only become widely available in recent years, and long-term research on their health effects is not yet available. Scientists have not yet collected enough data to compare the health risks of vaping vs smoking. A 2021 research review found evidence from laboratory studies that chemicals in vaping products alter and damage cells in ways that might lead to cancer, but it may take decades for high-quality data on vaping and cancer risk to become available.
Smoking Cessation and Support
For those who smoke or vape and are concerned about their health, it may be helpful to seek smoking cessation support. A person's doctor may recommend smoking cessation counseling, nicotine replacement therapy, medication, such as varenicline or bupropion, lifestyle changes, or other strategies to manage cravings or triggers. The American Cancer Society suggests that a person who smokes or vapes and receives a diagnosis of lung cancer should quit, as quitting smoking has been shown to improve survival rates.
Resources for Quitting Smoking or Vaping
A person can find support to help them cut back or quit smoking or vaping by talking with their doctor, visiting SmokeFree.Gov, or exploring resources from the American Cancer Society.
In conclusion, while vaping may offer an alternative to traditional smoking, it introduces a complex mixture of harmful substances that can cause lung inflammation, injury, and increase the risk of lung cancer over time. It is crucial for those who smoke or vape to be aware of the potential health risks and seek support for quitting if desired.
