New Study Links E-Cigarette Use to Harmful Lung Condition

A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health revealed serious health risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes, including an enhanced risk of developing a serious respiratory disease. While e-cigarettes have often been promoted as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, this research, published on December 8, 2015 in Environmental Health Perspectives, proves otherwise.

Accordingly, researchers found that the chemical diacetyl, which is contained in 75% of e-cigarette flavors, caused bronchiolitis obliterans—more commonly referred to as “popcorn lung.” The disease got its nickname from a 2004 incident at a Missouri popcorn factory where several employees developed bronchiolitis obliterans after inhaling diacetyl contained in the artificial butter in microwave popcorn over an extended period of time. Popcorn lung is incurable and leads to excessive coughing and shortness of breath.

E-cigarettes are battery powered and convert liquid nicotine, infused with different chemical flavoring, into a vapor that is then inhaled by the smoker and are currently not regulated by the FDA unless they are marketed for therapeutic purposes. However, proposals are now being made to extend FDA authority to cover additional products that meet the legal definition of tobacco. The FDA’s interest in regulating e-cigarettes stems from the product’s popularity with teens, as many states allow minors to purchase them, and the fact that 45 out of 50 states allow the use of e-cigarettes in venues that are considered smoke free. Researchers found that many of the flavors that are popular with teenagers, like cupcake and cotton candy, contain diacetyl.