Vaping and Lung Cancer: What You Should Know

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, put nicotine into your lungs and bloodstream. And they do it without the smoke and tar of a regular cigarette. But other harmful things can get into your body when you vape. That's especially true if you use flavored cigarettes.




Popcorn Lung

One chemical in some e-cigarette flavorings is a buttery-flavored one called diacetyl. It's been linked to a serious lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans. It's also known as popcorn lung.


The chemical can cause a dry cough that won't go away. It also causes shortness of breath, wheezing, headache, fever, aches, and other health problems. The vapors also can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, and throat.


After the link between diacetyl and lung disease was found, many popcorn companies took the chemical out of their products. But it's still used in many e-cigarette flavors, including vanilla, maple, and coconut. It's also been found in many alcohol-flavored, candy-flavored, and fruit-flavored e-cigarettes. These are choices that often appeal to kids, teenagers, and young adults.


WebMD Medical Reference Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on April 24, 2019



American Lung Association: "COPD," "Popcorn Lung: A Dangerous Risk of Flavored E-Cigarettes."

Cleveland Clinic: "Cigarettes, Cigars and Vaping: Which Habit Puts You Most at Risk?" "Electronic Cigarettes: Weighing In on a Popular Trend."


Harvard Gazette: "Chemical Flavorings Found in E-Cigarettes Linked to Lung Disease." 

Harvard School of Public Health: "Chemicals Linked with Severe Respiratory Disease Found in Common E-Cigarette Flavors."

Johns Hopkins Medicine: "Facts About Electronic Cigarettes." "E-Cigarettes."

National Jewish Health: "Bronchiolitis Obliterans." "Popcorn Lung: Sounds Delicious."

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