Cancer Research UK: No Popcorn Lung from E-Cigarettes

Cancer Research UK: No Confirmed Cases of Popcorn Lung Linked to E-Cigarettes

Cancer Research UK has issued a statement affirming that there have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung linked to e-cigarettes. The announcement comes amidst ongoing concerns regarding the safety of vaping, and specifically, the potential for popcorn lung, a condition known scientifically as bronchiolitis obliterans.

The term “popcorn lung” originated from a case of lung damage that occurred in workers at a popcorn factory in the early 2000s. The condition was caused by inhaling the chemical diacetyl, which was used to give popcorn its buttery flavor. Popcorn lung is a rare condition that causes inflammation and scarring of the lungs’ smallest airways. It can lead to shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and other respiratory problems.

Because some e-liquids contain diacetyl and other substances known to cause respiratory issues, there is concern that using e-cigarettes could result in popcorn lung. Cancer Research UK claims that no cases of popcorn lung have been confirmed in e-cigarette users and that the amount of diacetyl in e-cigarettes is usually much lower than the levels discovered in popcorn factories.

E-cigarettes are still fairly new, and there is not enough long-term data to completely understand their health effects, claims Cancer Research UK. The group does assert that using e-cigarettes is considerably less harmful than smoking, which is a major contributor to cancer and other serious health issues.

The declaration from Cancer Research UK follows recent reports that suggested an association between e-cigarette use and lung damage has been found by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC reports 55 fatalities and more than 2,500 instances of lung injury linked to e-cigarette use.

The use of electronic cigarettes that contain THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana, has been connected to the bulk of these cases. It is unknown, according to the CDC, whether other substances, like nicotine, may also be playing a role in the lung injuries.

Cancer Research UK stresses the need for additional study into the safety of e-cigarettes in light of these developments. The group also emphasises how crucial it is to regulate e-cigarettes in order to guarantee their responsible and secure use.

Public health professionals who are concerned that worries about popcorn lung may prevent smokers from switching to e-cigarettes, which are thought to be a less harmful option to smoking, have welcomed the Cancer Research UK statement.

“Smokers who switch to e-cigarettes can substantially reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals,” said Dr. Nick Hopkinson, a respiratory specialist and chair of the group Action on Smoking and Health. “It’s important that people are accurately informed about the relative risks of e-cigarettes and smoking, so they can make an informed choice.”

The absence of verified instances of popcorn lung in e-cigarette users, some experts warn, does not imply that the risk does not exist. Dr. Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, a senior research fellow at the University of Oxford, stated that “we need to continue monitoring the safety of e-cigarettes and investigate any possible risks.”

Overall, the Cancer Research UK statement emphasises the need for an evidence-based, balanced strategy to the regulation of e-cigarettes. While worries about vaping’s safety shouldn’t be discounted, it’s crucial to avoid spreading false information that might discourage smokers from switching to a less harmful option.

References

• Cancer Research UK. No confirmed cases of popcorn lung linked to e-cigarettes [Internet]. Cancer Research UK; 2021 [cited 2023 Feb 18]. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-us/cancer-news/news-report/2021-01-06-no-confirmed-cases-of-popcorn-lung-linked-to-e-cigarettes
• Mayo Clinic. Popcorn lung [Internet]. Mayo Clinic; 2022 [cited 2023 Feb 18]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/popcorn-lung/symptoms-causes/syc-20353726
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Outbreak of lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products [Internet]. CDC; 2022 [cited 2023 Feb 18]. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Stop smoking interventions and services [Internet]. NICE; 2021 [cited 2023 Feb 18]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph48/chapter/1-Recommendations#electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes

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