Vape Lungs Compared to Cigarette Lungs: What You Need to Know

Is vaping safer than smoking? This question has been swirling around ever since e-cigarettes hit the market. We’ve heard both sides — those who champion vaping as a safer alternative and those who claim it’s just as harmful. But what’s the real difference between vape lungs and cigarette lungs? The truth is, while vaping might seem like the lesser evil, both activities affect your lungs in significant ways. You’re about to find out how.

When you think of smoking, you probably imagine blackened lungs, clogged with tar. Cigarette smoke is known for its heavy cocktail of harmful chemicals, many of which cause cancer. Over time, smokers may develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and lung cancer. You’ve likely seen those unsettling images of smoker’s lungs, a stark contrast to the healthy pink tissue of non-smokers.

But vaping? It’s not so clear-cut. Vaping doesn’t burn tobacco, and while that means there’s no tar involved, it’s not exactly harmless either. Studies have shown that vaping introduces other chemicals, including heavy metals and certain volatile compounds, into the lungs. These chemicals can still cause damage. So, while vape lungs might not look as blackened as cigarette lungs, the damage is still there — just in a different form.

Nicotine is the common factor between cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Nicotine itself isn’t the direct cause of lung disease, but it is highly addictive, and its presence keeps users hooked on both vaping and smoking. The real danger lies in the delivery method. With smoking, it’s the burning tobacco that releases harmful toxins. With vaping, it’s the heating of e-liquids that releases chemicals like formaldehyde, which can be just as harmful over time.

Let’s talk about the immune system. Smokers are known to have weakened immune systems, which means they’re more likely to get infections, including pneumonia. Vaping may also suppress immune responses in the lungs. Recent studies suggest that exposure to certain chemicals in vape liquids can compromise the lung’s ability to fight off bacteria and viruses. This is a worrying trend, especially given the rise in respiratory infections.

You’ve probably heard of "popcorn lung" — a condition linked to diacetyl, a chemical once used in microwave popcorn flavorings and found in some vape liquids. This condition, officially called bronchiolitis obliterans, can cause scarring in the airways and reduce lung capacity, leading to breathing difficulties. While the use of diacetyl in e-liquids has decreased, the risk hasn’t disappeared entirely.

In terms of lung capacity, both vaping and smoking are culprits. Long-term use of either will reduce lung function. However, research suggests that former smokers who switch to vaping might experience less lung function decline than if they continued smoking. But this isn’t a free pass for vaping. The cumulative effects of inhaling vaporized chemicals haven’t been fully understood yet, and the long-term data is still emerging.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of the research. A 2019 study by the European Respiratory Journal found that even short-term use of e-cigarettes can cause lung inflammation. It suggested that people who vape, even if they never smoked, could be at risk for lung disease. Another study published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) in 2020 linked vaping to an increased risk of chronic bronchitis and asthma. And it’s not just about the lungs — cardiovascular risks have been identified too.

But vaping isn’t entirely the villain in this story. For many smokers, switching to e-cigarettes has led to reduced smoking rates or even quitting altogether. Public Health England has stated that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking, primarily because it doesn’t involve combustion. However, this doesn’t mean vaping is harmless — just less harmful than the most dangerous habit of all: smoking.

One of the lesser-known issues with vaping is the risk of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). This condition came to light in 2019 when a wave of hospitalizations across the U.S. highlighted the dangers of certain illicit THC vape cartridges. Vitamin E acetate, a thickening agent used in some of these cartridges, was found to be the primary culprit. While EVALI seems linked to illegal products, it has shone a spotlight on the potential risks of vaping as a whole.

It’s also worth discussing how vaping affects younger populations. The CDC has raised concerns about the rise of vaping among teens, many of whom were never smokers to begin with. Nicotine addiction is a serious issue in itself, but introducing it through vaping also means exposing young lungs to harmful chemicals. There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that adolescents who vape are more likely to start smoking later on.

So, where does this leave us? When comparing vape lungs to cigarette lungs, it’s not about which is worse — it’s about understanding that both are harmful in different ways. The best course of action for lung health? Neither. While vaping might be less damaging than smoking in the short term, we don’t yet know the full extent of its long-term effects. Smoking has been around long enough for us to see its devastating consequences. Vaping is still relatively new, and time will tell just how much damage it can cause.

Are you playing with fire, or just warming your hands by the embers? The answer depends on your long-term habits and choices. Both vaping and smoking are addictive, and both pose significant risks to your lungs and overall health. If you want to protect your lungs, quitting both entirely is the only surefire way to avoid the damage.