What Does Vaping Do to Your Lungs
Vaping involves inhaling vapour created by heating e-liquid, and while this vapour does not contain the tar or many of the toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke, it still enters the lungs and can affect respiratory health. Understanding how vaping interacts with the lungs is important, especially for people switching from smoking or those with pre-existing conditions. Research into this area is ongoing, but what is already known provides useful insight into the potential short and long-term effects.
Inhalation of Vapour vs Smoke
Traditional cigarettes release smoke from burning tobacco, which produces a cocktail of harmful chemicals that are inhaled deep into the lungs. These include carbon monoxide, tar, and formaldehyde — all of which contribute to diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Vapour, by contrast, is produced without combustion and contains significantly fewer toxins. This key difference means that vaping is considered far less damaging to the lungs than smoking, though not entirely without risk.
How Vapour Affects the Airways
When vapour enters the lungs, it can cause mild irritation for some users, particularly those new to vaping or using high-strength nicotine. This may result in coughing, dry throat, or a tight feeling in the chest. These symptoms are generally temporary and tend to subside as the body adjusts. Unlike cigarette smoke, vapour does not contain particulate matter from combustion, which is a major contributor to chronic lung disease in smokers.
Lung Function and Vaping
Current research suggests that vaping has less impact on lung function than smoking. Studies have shown that smokers who switch to vaping often see improvements in breathing, stamina, and overall lung health, particularly when vaping is used as a complete replacement for cigarettes. However, e-liquid ingredients like propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine can affect the lungs differently in different people, and some may be more sensitive to inhaling vapour over time.
Vaping and Inflammation
Some research has found that vaping can cause mild inflammation in the lungs, particularly with frequent or high-powered use. This inflammation is generally lower than what is caused by smoking but may still pose a concern for individuals with asthma or chronic respiratory conditions. That said, many former smokers with such conditions report fewer symptoms and better control after switching to vaping, as the absence of smoke-related toxins allows the lungs to begin repairing themselves.
The Role of Nicotine
Nicotine itself does not cause lung cancer, but it does have an effect on how the body responds to inhaled substances. It can slightly suppress immune responses and increase mucus production in the airways. While these effects are modest compared to the damage done by smoking, they are worth considering for people with lung-related health issues. Users can opt for lower nicotine strengths or nicotine-free e-liquids to reduce this impact.
What the Evidence Says
Public Health England and other respected health bodies continue to state that vaping is significantly less harmful to lungs than smoking. Their position is based on a growing body of evidence suggesting that while vaping is not completely risk-free, it is far safer than inhaling smoke. This does not mean vaping is harmless, but in terms of lung health, it represents a substantial reduction in exposure to harmful chemicals.
Effects on Lung Recovery After Quitting Smoking
For smokers who switch to vaping, one of the biggest benefits is giving their lungs a break from the toxic load of cigarette smoke. Studies have shown that within weeks of quitting smoking, lung function can begin to improve. While vaping does introduce vapour into the lungs, it doesn’t contain carbon monoxide or tar, which are responsible for much of the damage caused by smoking. Many users report easier breathing, fewer coughing fits, and better physical stamina after making the switch.
Deep Lung Inhalation and Device Type
Different devices affect how deeply vapour is inhaled. Mouth-to-lung devices, which are typically lower powered and mimic the inhale of a cigarette, tend to produce less vapour and put less strain on the lungs. Direct-to-lung devices create denser clouds and involve deeper inhalation. While the vapour is still cleaner than smoke, high-wattage vaping and frequent deep inhales may lead to more noticeable airway irritation in some users.
Lipoid Pneumonia and Misunderstood Risks
One condition that’s occasionally brought up in media coverage is lipoid pneumonia — a rare form of lung inflammation often linked to inhaling oils. Properly manufactured e-liquids in the UK do not contain oils, and regulated vape products are unlikely to cause this condition. Past cases linked to illicit or unregulated THC vape cartridges in the US contributed to confusion. In the UK, where ingredients are tightly controlled, the risk is extremely low.
EVALI: A U.S. Outbreak Not Related to Nicotine Vaping
A 2019 health scare in the US, known as EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury), was largely caused by black-market THC products containing vitamin E acetate. This additive is not used in UK-regulated e-liquids. Still, the media coverage caused confusion and fear around standard nicotine vaping, despite no link to legal products sold in the UK or Europe. Highlighting this can help reassure readers who may have been alarmed by global headlines.
Vapour Composition and Heat Exposure
Vapour contains far fewer harmful compounds than smoke, but the temperature of vapour can still impact the airways. Extremely high wattages can heat e-liquid to the point where it becomes harsh, which may irritate the lungs more than a moderate-temperature vape. Responsible usage — choosing sensible wattage levels and not "chain vaping" — helps minimise this risk and maintains a smoother, more lung-friendly experience.
Individual Variability and Sensitivities
Some users may find they’re sensitive to propylene glycol (PG), a common ingredient in e-liquid. High-PG liquids can cause throat irritation or a tight-chest feeling in a small percentage of vapers. Switching to high-VG liquids or blended formulations can resolve this. Others may be sensitive to specific flavourings. The good news is that there’s enough variety in products for most people to find something that suits their lungs comfortably.
Summary
Vaping introduces vapour into the lungs, not smoke, which reduces the risks associated with traditional smoking. While some mild irritation and inflammation can occur, especially with high use or sensitivity to certain ingredients, most users experience fewer respiratory issues when switching from cigarettes. The long-term effects of vaping on the lungs are still being studied, but based on current knowledge, it poses a far lower risk than smoking and may offer lung health improvements for those looking to quit tobacco entirely.