Does vaping cause popcorn lung?

What is popcorn lung?

Popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) is an uncommon type of lung disease. It’s caused by a build-up of scar tissue in the lungs, which blocks the flow of air. Popcorn lung isn’t cancer.

What causes popcorn lung?

Around the year 2000 a group of popcorn factory workers in the USA developed the condition, leading to the name ‘popcorn lung’. Diacetyl was a flavouring in the popcorn and so the workers breathed it in. It was not related to use of e-cigarettes.

Although bronchiolitis obliterans is sometimes called ‘popcorn lung’, it can be caused by a number of different things. For example, if the lungs are damaged by an infection. Or after breathing in chemicals that irritate the lungs and cause damage.

What are the facts about e-cigarettes and popcorn lung?

There have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung linked to e-cigarettes. Some of the liquids in e-cigarettes used to contain diacetyl. This led to the idea that e-cigarettes might cause popcorn lung.

In the UK, diacetyl was banned in e-cigarettes and e-liquids under the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) in 2016. So, legal e-liquids sold in the UK aren’t allowed to contain diacetyl. Only use legal e-cigarettes from a reputable retailer.

Are e-cigarettes harmful in other ways?

E-cigarettes are a relatively new product – they aren’t risk-free and we don’t yet know their long-term effects. Children and people who have never smoked shouldn’t use them.

But research so far shows that vaping with legal e-cigarettes is less harmful than smoking, and they are an effective stop smoking tool. 

You can find further information on our webpage about using e-cigarettes to stop smoking.

For the best chance of quitting smoking, get support from your free local stop smoking service.  They can help you find the right quitting tools for you.