Posted on November 28, 2022 in Lung Cancer
Written by Dr. Kuremsky
Doctors unanimously agree that cigarette smoking increases your risk for lung cancer. However, the medical community understands less about how smoking e-cigarettes (vaping) or smoking marijuana affects the lungs over time.
For now, preliminary research does suggest that both habits can harm respiratory health.
As such, the American Cancer Society cautions against the use of e-cigarettes and the American Lung Association recommends abstinence from marijuana use.
According to the CDC, tobacco usage is the number one cause of lung cancer, leading to 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer deaths¹. Exposure to secondhand smoke is deadly as well, contributing to more than 7,000 lung cancer deaths each year².
Popularized in the early 2000s, vaping is generally considered safer than cigarette smoking. Many doctors even recommend vaping to smokers who are hoping to quit. But that doesn’t mean e-cigarettes are healthy.
Since the liquid inside e-cigarettes (often called “vape juice” or “e-liquid”) contains carcinogenic chemicals, cancer is a very real concern. However, vaping products haven’t been on the market long enough for experts to determine the cancer risk.
Because of this uncertainty, the American Cancer Society strongly urges non-smokers to avoid e-cigarettes or vaping in any form³.
Though the question of whether or not vaping causes lung cancer remains unanswered, there is a lot we do know about e-cigarettes.
For starters, we know that the substances commonly found in vape juice (e.g. formaldehyde, acrolein, diacetyl) are toxic. When inhaled, these chemicals cause an inflammatory response in your lungs. In return, vaping can worsen asthma and other existing lung conditions.
Over time, vaping can cause other issues such as:
Much like vaping, the link between weed and lung cancer is unclear.
Experts do know that marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins, irritants, and carcinogens found in tobacco smoke⁵. Plus, since marijuana smoke is often inhaled more deeply than cigarette smoke, it leads to more tar deposition⁶.
The products used to smoke weed are concerning as well. Rolling paper, for instance, often contains heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium. Bongs made from plastic can also outgas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when heated.
At this time, additional research is needed to fully understand the effects marijuana may have on lung cancer. As such, the American Lung Association cautions the public against smoking marijuana⁵.
According to the CDC, smoking weed can damage small blood vessels in your lungs and cause airway inflammation⁷.
As a result, you may experience symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Existing lung conditions like asthma may also worsen.
Other concerns related to smoking marijuana include:
So, does vaping cause lung cancer? Does smoking marijuana cause lung cancer?
Unfortunately, current research offers inconclusive answers to these questions.
However, experts predict that the medical community will arrive at a more definitive verdict in the coming decades.
In the meantime, look to reputable sources for up-to-date information regarding the health risks of vaping and smoking marijuana. Reliable organizations include:
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1. Lung Cancer: What Are the Risk Factors? (2022).
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/basic_info/risk_factors.htm
2. Tobacco-Related Mortality. (2020).
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/tobacco_related_mortality/index.htm
3. CDC Warns Against Vaping During Lung Illness Investigation. (2019).
https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/cdc-and-fda-investigate-lung-illnesses-linked-to-vaping.html
4. Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products. (2021).
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html
5. Marijuana and Lung Health. (2020).
https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/health-effects/marijuana-and-lung-health
6. What Are Marijuana’s Effects on Lung Health? (2020).
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-are-marijuanas-effects-lung-health
7. Lung Health. (2020).
https://www.cdc.gov/marijuana/health-effects/lung-health.html
