Beware vaping’s hype; clean air is still the best air for your lungs

The statistics surrounding vaping are astounding and, in some cases, pretty confusing.

Let’s start with the hard facts. According to the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health, approximately 18 million people vape regularly in the United States. Approximately 16 percent of high school students have used vapes. And, with the prevalence of vape shops, smoke shops and the availability of e-cigarettes at convenience stores and the like, it appears that vaping isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

On one end, there is certainly a pro-vaping contingency. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, among a number of other sources, vaping and e-cigarettes expose users to fewer toxins than traditional cigarettes — though the exact chemicals present in vapes can certainly vary. In 2015, the United Kingdom’s Public Health department declared that vaping was “95 percent safer than smoked tobacco and can help smokers quit.” And, according to PATH, vapers have 97 percent less of NNAL (a bi-product of nicotine) in their bodies than tobacco smokers.

On the flip side, there are cons to vaping, some of which have emerged as a result of new studies. The Food and Drug Administration is weighing a ban on flavored-cigarette liquids, given that many believe vaping devices may actually lead teens to a nicotine addiction later in life. Perhaps the biggest concerns with vaping are the unknowns. Giving the habit has risen to popularity in the last few years, there simply isn’t enough evidence to clearly define long-term effects.

From a pulmonologist’s point of view, here is the bottom line: Don’t put anything in your lungs that shouldn’t be there, whether it is smoke stemming from a cigarette, marijuana, vaping, hookah or anything like it. Good clean air is best for your lungs and that’s that.

Is there or will there be a place for vaping? Perhaps. At this point in time, we are pretty sure that vaping is safer than smoking, but there just isn’t enough evidence to definitively say so.

An overarching concern with vaping, aside from what has already been outlined, is the notion of heating something and then breathing it in. What is being smoked as well as the chemical structure of the device itself may be compromised and harm the body. An example: Some vapes and liquids have a chemical called diacetyl, which historically was used in movie popcorn to give it a buttery flavor. The chemical was found to ultimately cause, in select instances, a respiratory illness and inflammation of the lungs – known as “popcorn lung.” A number of health concerns remain about its effects related to vaping.

So, if vaping isn’t the answer to get someone to stop smoking, what is? There are plenty of alternatives available that should be considered far before vaping. These options include nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, nasal sprays and even prescriptions like Bupropion and Varenicline. Whether related to smoking or not, if you are experiencing persistent cough shortness of breath or coughing up blood, it is vital to see a pulmonologist as soon as possible.

In the pulmonary world, there are a number of tests to determine the source and severity of lung-related issues. These tests include pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopies, thoracoscopies, ultrasounds and fine needle biopsies. In terms of detecting lung cancer – which is true with so many cancers – it is often silent until it reaches a certain point. Those that should immediately consult a physician are patients who experience a cough that will not go away or unexplained weight loss. And, when it comes time to test for lung cancer, the latest in lung cancer screening technology is now available right here in Southern Nevada.

There is and can be a solution for you to quit smoking. It’s never too late. But, it is still too early to give vaping and all that comes with it a definitive thumbs up.

James S. J. Hsu is a pulmonologist at Lung Center of Nevada, a division of Comprehensive Cancer Centers.

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