4 days ago
What is 'popcorn lung' and is it linked to vaping?
A single-use vape ban is coming into force this weekend in the UK, which means you'll no longer be able to purchase disposable vapes from local corner shops and supermarkets.
From Sunday 1 June, popular puff-and-dump vapes like colourful Lost Mary pods, will be removed from shelves in a move that's designed to address both environmental and health concerns around their usage.
In the UK, up to 5.6 million adults are estimated to be regular vapers, with a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds having tried vaping and nearly one in 10 doing it frequently.
As vaping is a relatively new lifestyle habit, scientists are still working to understand how e-cigarettes can affect our health in the long-term. One condition that some people associate with e-cigarettes is 'popcorn lung' – a rare health issue that causes breathing problems in sufferers.
However, experts say there is no quality evidence to suggest vaping can cause popcorn lung in the UK.
So what exactly is the condition and why are some people linking it to vaping? Here's everything you need to know…
'Popcorn lung' is the informal name for a serious disease called bronchiolitis obliterans, which causes damage to the small airways in the lungs. This can cause inflammation and scar tissue to build up, blocking the flow of air.
Tell-tale 'popcorn lung' symptoms include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
It was first discovered in the early 2000s, when a handful of workers at a microwave popcorn plant in the US encountered breathing problems during their shifts.
An investigation into the workers ruled that their symptoms were caused by inhaling diacetyl, a chemical which gives cook-in-the-bag popcorn its buttery flavour, prompting many major popcorn manufacturers to remove it from their products entirely.
"Although bronchiolitis obliterans is sometimes called 'popcorn lung', it can be caused by a number of different things," according to Cancer Research UK. "For example, if the lungs are damaged by an infection. Or after breathing in chemicals that irritate the lungs and cause damage."
However the charity states that it is not caused by e-cigarettes.
It's worth noting that 'popcorn lung' is rare in the UK, with Cancer Research UK classing it as an "uncommon type of lung disease".
The current worries around 'popcorn lung' and vaping seem to be related to the fact that diacetyl, the chemical that was previously used in microwave popcorn production, was formerly found in some flavours of e-cigarettes.
However, Cancer Research UK state that, currently, there have been no confirmed cases of 'popcorn lung' linked to vaping in the UK.
"Some of the liquids in e-cigarettes used to contain diacetyl, which led to the idea that e-cigarettes might cause popcorn lung," the charity says on its website.
"[But] in the UK, diacetyl was banned in e-cigarettes and e-liquids under the EU Tobacco Products Directive in 2016. So, legal e-liquids sold in the UK aren't allowed to contain diacetyl."
If you're concerned about 'popcorn lung' and you're currently vaping, the advice is to stick to purchasing regulated e-cigarettes which have been vetted for minimum standards of quality and safety.
However, an even better move would be to take steps to quit, as although current research suggests that legal e-cigarettes are far less harmful than smoking, we don't yet know their long-term effects.
1. Find your 'why'
Whether it's your depleted bank balance or wanting to break your dependence on nicotine, finding a reason to quit can help you to stick to a vape-free lifestyle.
Keeping visual reminders handy can motivate you on your journey, like downloading a smoke-free tracking app such as Kwit, or funnelling your saved vape money into a holiday fund.
2. Lower the nicotine strength
If you struggle with toughing out the withdrawal symptoms, the NHS suggests switching to a refillable vape, which means you can control the level of nicotine you're inhaling.
By checking your e-liquid's nicotine content (mg/ml), you can gradually reduce it over time, which will eventually lower your dependence on the drug.
3. Identify your triggers
Whether it's work emails piling up or a craving that hits with the first sip of a cold beer, knowing the environments that can trigger your urge to vape can help you to make adjustments ahead of time.
Developing strategies to manage these feelings could involve having distractions handy to take your mind off vaping, or avoiding the triggers entirely until the worst of the cravings subside.
4. Try nicotine replacement therapies
Nicotine replacement tools, like gums, patches and lozenges, can help to ease the physical symptoms of withdrawal and lower your intake of the drug over time.
If you're a social vaper, studies suggest that these types of interventions may work better for you than if you vape every day.
Although conducted on cigarette smokers, 2021 research found that light smokers were significantly more likely to achieve at least seven days of abstinence using nicotine replacement therapies, when compared with those who smoke heavily.
5. Speak to your GP
If you're struggling to resist the urge to vape on your own, a visit to your GP is a good place to find support.
They can discuss your vape usage with you and refer you to your local Stop Smoking centre, a free NHS service that provides expert advice, support and encouragement to those looking to quit.
Read more about vaping:
Kate Garraway shares moment she became 'instantly addicted' to disposable vapes (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read)
Number of children vaping spikes 50% in a year (Independent, 5-min read)
Australia bans recreational vaping to avoid having 'nicotine addicts' (Independent, 2-min read)
