Lung Cancer Awareness: Think Before You Vape

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Exposure to tobacco smoke causes nearly 90% of all lung cancer deaths. Additionally, in 2024, 10% of high school students reported using tobacco products, with e-cigarettes leading the list. Despite the harm, the prevalence of vaping continues to grow. Vaping involves using an electronic cigarette to inhale liquid from an aerosol, and these often contain harmful chemicals and known carcinogens like formaldehyde, benzene, and heavy metals.

Vaping was invented in 2003. Hon Lik created the e-cigarette after his dad died from lung cancer, which was caused by smoking cigarettes. Although vapes were marketed as a safer alternative to smoking, they quickly attracted a new target market: teens. Many young people started vaping even without ever having smoked a cigarette before. The aggressive marketing and attractive flavors made it extremely appealing to teens.

However, many teens developed an unhealthy addiction to vapes. The prefrontal cortex regulates decision-making, and it is not fully developed until you are 25. Since most teens' minds are growing, they are especially vulnerable to nicotine addiction. One vape pod can contain about 20 to 50 mg of nicotine, roughly the same amount found in 20 to even 40 cigarettes. Because of the attractive flavors, the increased need for nicotine after each vape, and other factors, addiction can occur just days after vaping. It rewires your brain and hooks you fast.

Various and serious health problems followed the popular rise. For example, vaping can alter DNA, the body’s genetic information. Thousands of unknown chemicals are found in vape aerosols. These tiny particles carry harmful chemicals, including known carcinogens such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Another example is acrolein, a toxic chemical found in vaping aerosol and car exhaust. When inhaled, it is highly reactive and can damage lung tissue. Vaping can also lead to a rare but very dangerous disease called “popcorn lung.”

The destruction caused by vapes has been recorded. For example, in 2019, vaping caused thousands of cases of lung injuries, primarily in teens. Scientific investigation revealed that many vape cartridges contained vitamin E acetate. When inhaled, it coats the lung cells, blocking oxygen transfer and even simple breathing. Vitamin E acetate and other chemicals were linked to an EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury) outbreak. Several months later, the FDA restricted marketing of vapes and banned many flavors aimed at youth, a policy designed to protect youths’ lives.

In conclusion, vaping is harmful in many mental and physical ways. Addiction can easily occur, and it is often extremely hard to quit. However, there is always help available through quit plans, counseling, and many other resources.