Medical experts are raising the alarm over the long-term health risks of vaping, particularly among teenagers, following emerging evidence that links certain vape chemicals to irreversible lung damage.
Health authorities and doctors have cited diacetyl (2,3-butanedione)—a chemical used to add flavor to e-cigarettes—as a significant contributor to a rare but serious condition known as bronchiolitis obliterans, more commonly referred to as “popcorn lung.” The disease causes scarring in the lungs’ small airways, leading to persistent cough, shortness of breath, and irreversible respiratory damage.
While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and American Lung Association have previously flagged concerns, recent medical reports now suggest a more conclusive link between vaping flavored products and permanent lung injury, especially among adolescents.
In past years, hospitals in the United States and other countries have reported rising cases of teens suffering from vaping-associated lung injury (VALI) or e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). Though EVALI was largely tied to vitamin E acetate found in illicit THC vapes, experts now say legal, flavored nicotine products also pose long-term dangers.
Dr. Albert Rizzo, Chief Medical Officer of the American Lung Association, warned: “Many of these chemicals, like diacetyl, were never meant to be inhaled. When heated and inhaled into the lungs, they can lead to permanent damage that may not become apparent until it’s too late.”
Several cases of teens diagnosed with permanent lung conditions linked to vaping have surfaced, prompting renewed calls for stricter regulation of e-cigarette products, especially flavored ones that appeal to younger users.
As of now, many vape products still do not disclose all ingredients, and regulatory oversight varies significantly between countries. Health experts are urging governments and parents to be proactive in curbing youth vaping through education, regulation, and awareness campaigns.
