The news is a wash with myths about vaping. Something which rarely gets squashed due to the legally mandated lack of advertising from vape companies.

The biggest of these myths being “vaping causes popcorn lung”. Below we will explain what popcorn lung is, where it came from, what causes it, and why vaping does not cause popcorn lung.

What is Popcorn Lung?

Popcorn lung is a disease. Its medical name is Bronchiolitis Obliterans (BO) [1]. BO causes damage to the small airways in the lungs and is associated with symptoms such as shortness of breath, a dry cough, wheezing, chest pain and frequent respiratory infections. It is most commonly caused by viral infections such as respiratory syncytial virus which is preventable by ensuring that standard cleaning practices are followed with baby toys, hands etc. 

Where did Popcorn Lung come from?

Popcorn lung has been a disease that existed for longer than we’ve known of it. Its first discovery was in a microwave popcorn factory in the early 2000s where the chemical Diacetyl was found to cause damage to the lungs in the workers there [2]. Since then, other sources of the disease have been found, including various forms of chemical damage such as chlorine gas and formaldehyde and respiratory viruses such as RSV which commonly affects children and babies.

Google says Diacetyl is in e-liquids though and that vaping causes popcorn lung!

And Google is wrong, at least for the UK anyway. This is because we in the UK 1: care about our users and primarily want to help people move away from smoking and 2: Legislate and moderate what goes into the products that are in the UK market. This legislation is referred to as the TPD Law. It dictates what can and can’t go into the product, how we’re allowed to market (or lack thereof of marketing,) how the product can and must be packaged, who the product can be sold to and more. To put it simply, it covers all bases. If you’re buying from a shop that hides their vapes in the back and can only buy them for cash, chances are they are illegal and all the safety of the TPD law will not help you.

Okay, so I bet you’re thinking “What does all that have to do with what google says is in vapes?” Basically, what I’m saying is, we don’t use Diacetyl in e-liquid in the uk. It was Diacetyl that triggered the introduction of the TPD law and is often a specifically stated chemical as an example in the TPD regulations of countries that abide by the law. If you have an e-liquid that contains Diacetyl, then this liquid is ILLEGAL and the company should be reported to the MHRA. [3]

So, does TPD Law protect us from all the harmful chemicals then?

Not all of them no. unfortunately we don’t know the effects of every chemical as well, there’s a lot of them. But, if you are buying from a reputable company in the UK, you will find that the chemicals used are generally safer. This is because the reputable companies talk to each other, and when they find research like that surrounding Acetoin and its potential to be harmful, we find ways to remove it from our products. This is why you can’t find a good Butterscotch flavour any more. All the known best chemicals for that taste are terrible for our lungs. One day someone will find a combination that works for it, and when they do, we’ll have our delicious butterscotch pudding again, but until then we’ll have to settle for whipping up some Angel Delight.

Sources

[1] Bronchiolitis - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

[2] What is "popcorn lung"? - Sydney Respiratory Specialist

[3] The Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (legislation.gov.uk)