Loma Linda University Health physician Laren Tan, M.D., recently began a regional tour to speak with junior high and high school students about the dangers of vaping. In recent months, the issue has gained national attention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported as of Oct. 1, 2019, that 18 deaths have been confirmed in 15 states, and that 1,080 lung injury cases associated with using electronic cigarette, or vaping, products have been reported to CDC from 48 states and one U.S. territory. More than 500 cases of a new vaping-related disease have been reported since April.

Tan is one of many doctors concerned with the health risks of vaping. The founder and director of the Loma Linda University Health Comprehensive Program for Obstructive Airway Diseases treats the most severe pulmonary cases — everything from non-reversible asthma to dangerous high-blood pressure of the lungs to emphysema. Vaping, he says, has served as a gateway for teens to smoke rather than a tool for adults to quit.

Starting with a school in Riverside, California, Tan spoke to students about the dangers of both the substance being vaped and the lesser-known hazards of the activity. Research has shown that the heated coils are releasing metal particles — such as lead and nickel — into the user’s lungs.

“We don’t have all the data on the long-term effects of vaping on the body, but we do know that the short-term effects can be detrimental to lungs, especially in teens as their lungs are still developing,” Tan told the audience at La Sierra Academy. “If a teen already has underlying respiratory conditions, such as asthma, they could be at a greater risk of permanent damage or even death.”

In his presentation, Tan breaks down the anatomy of e-cigarettes, explaining that the concentration of nicotine in the cartridges depends on the amount of substance inhaled and the concentration in the e-liquids. “Consistency in concentration and composition of the liquid varies between different manufacturers, and with no FDA regulations, it’s difficult to determine how much nicotine — or other unknown substance — is being inhaled.”

One substance that has been identified in many common flavorings for vapes is diacetyl. “In the medical community we have long known that inhalation of diacetyl causes bronchiolitis obliterans, also known as popcorn lung,” Tan said. The inhalation of diacetyl scars the tiny air sacs or alveoli of the lungs, which is extremely problematic in both developing and already developed lungs.

“Through speaking to students, teachers, and counselors, we hope to arm our communities with the information they need to make an educated decision for themselves and give the potentially life-saving information to people who need it,” Tan said.

— Janelle Ringer writes for Loma Linda University Health News; the originally published article was posted on Sept. 26, 2019, on the organization's website.