Chronic respiratory disease—which includes asthma and COPD—is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States. COPD accounts for most of those cases, and first-hand or second-hand exposure to tobacco smoke is the leading contributor to COPD. Using e-cigarettes, or vaping, has become a popular alternative to tobacco, with many people thinking it’s less risky than tobacco and less likely to cause lung disease. However, recent research suggests a link between COPD and vaping—and for people with COPD, vaping may make it worse.
What Is COPD?
COPD is not a single condition but a group of lung diseases that cause breathing problems, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Symptoms of COPD include:
- Being unable to take deep breaths
- Excess mucus or phlegm production
- Recurring wheezing or coughing
- Shortness of breath
Some people develop COPD due to genetics, but exposure to cigarette smoke or environmental pollutants are the largest risk factors. There is no cure for COPD, but patients can manage it with rehabilitation, medication and lifestyle changes. Quitting tobacco if you smoke can significantly help prevent your COPD from getting worse.
The Basics of Vaping
When e-cigarettes, or vapes, first came on the market, some manufacturers promoted them as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes. Vaping doesn’t produce heavy smoke like cigarettes or pipes do and doesn’t leave behind strong odors and residues on clothes and furniture. E-cigarettes also do not have the nearly 7,000 chemicals found in cigarette smoke. Still, they contain toxic substances in their juice and vapor, including carcinogens, heavy metals and other chemicals linked to lung disease.
Studies have yielded mixed results as to whether switching from traditional tobacco products to vaping can help people successfully leave nicotine behind. The FDA has not approved e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid, unlike nicotine patches or gum. However, the CDC has stated, “e-cigarettes may help non-pregnant adults who smoke if used as a complete substitute for all cigarettes and other smoked tobacco products.”
What the Research Says
The negative health effects of tobacco and smoking are firmly established. Not only can smoking cause COPD and lung cancer, but it can also cause or worsen heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and many other types of cancer. Since e-cigarettes haven’t been around for very long, the long-term health effects of vaping remain unknown. Over the past few years, a handful of studies appear to show a connection between e-cigarettes and respiratory disease:
- One 2019 study found that e-cigarette users had higher levels of protease enzymes in lung cells than non-users. These high enzyme levels can cause emphysema.
- Another 2019 study found that vaping was a risk factor for developing respiratory diseases, including COPD and asthma.
- A third study from 2019 found that people who vaped but never smoked traditional cigarettes were at an increased risk of developing asthma.
- A 2021 study of almost 13,000 Korean men found that people who both smoked and vaped concurrently had an increased risk of COPD.
It is important to note that an association between vaping and higher levels of COPD and other respiratory diseases is not definitive proof that vaping causes these conditions. Nevertheless, based on what we currently know about vaping and COPD, you will do yourself a favor by giving up cigarettes and vaping.
Is Vaping a Better Option Than Smoking If You Have COPD?
If you have a diagnosis of COPD and still smoke, you may be wondering if switching to vaping is better for your lungs. Existing research suggests that vaping may make your COPD worse. Another study found that secondhand exposure to vape aerosol increased lung inflammation in patients with COPD.
If you have COPD and want to use vaping to quit smoking, you should talk to your primary care provider or pulmonologist first. Since many vape products have higher concentrations of nicotine than cigarettes, you can end up more heavily addicted to nicotine than you were using tobacco.
Quitting All Nicotine Is Your Best Option
It’s easy to get discouraged when trying to cut back on nicotine, especially if you know there’s already damage to your lungs. But it’s never too late to quit, and no matter what age you are, quitting will improve your lung health—along with so many other aspects of your health.
Vaping doesn’t impact your oxygen levels, but it can impact your lung function. Your forced expiratory volume—how much air you can breathe out in one second—naturally declines as you age. If you smoke or vape, it will decline more quickly, and if you have COPD, it will continue to get worse. People who stop smoking at any age perform better on pulmonary function tests. Maintaining your current pulmonary function or preventing it from worsening can make a huge difference in your quality of life as you age.
UMMS Can Help You Quit
If you’re trying to quit smoking or vaping, ask for help.
At the University of Maryland Medical System, we will work with you to find options to help you find long-term success. Whether you need medication, advice on nicotine replacement therapies or referrals to supportive treatment programs, we can get you started on the path to a nicotine-free life. Tobacco cessation is covered by insurance with no copays, so don’t delay making an appointment.
More to Read
- Why (and How) to Quit Smoking
- Are E-Cigarettes Safe? Look Beyond the Smoke and Mirrors.
- Is Vaping Bad For Kids? Know The Risks
- How to Quit Smoking and Reduce Your Risk of Lung Cancer
Medically reviewed by Jason Heavner, MD.
