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Exploring the Link Between Vaping and Bronchitis: What US Vapers Need to Know

By Know Your Vape · · Updated

Contents

Overview of vaping and bronchitis

Vaping is linked to respiratory symptoms such as cough and wheeze, especially in young people. Whether it causes chronic bronchitis in humans has not been established.

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to and from the lungs. It can be acute (short term) or chronic (long lasting).

This article covers what research says about the link between vaping and bronchitis, other possible risks, and practical steps for adult vapers.

What is Vaping?

Explanation of vaping and its popularity

Vaping means inhaling an aerosol made by an e-cigarette. The device heats a liquid that usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals.

Many adults vape as a substitute for cigarettes. Vaping exposes users to fewer toxicants than smoking because nothing is burned, but it is not risk-free.

Vaping is also common among young people. According to CDC data on youth e-cigarette use, in 2024 about 1.63 million US middle and high school students currently used e-cigarettes, even though the minimum sales age is 21.

Understanding Bronchitis

Acute bronchitis usually lasts a few weeks. It is most often caused by viral infections, such as a cold or the flu.

Symptoms include a cough, often with mucus, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath. Some people also have a low fever and tiredness.

Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition. It is defined as a cough with mucus on most days for at least three months a year, two years in a row, and it is often part of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic bronchitis is mainly caused by long-term exposure to irritants. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause; air pollution, dust, and fumes also contribute.

Vape aerosol contains chemicals and particles that can irritate the airways. Researchers are studying whether that irritation leads to bronchitis over time.

The evidence so far shows an association between vaping and bronchitis-like symptoms. It does not yet prove that vaping causes bronchitis.

Research on the Effects of Vaping on the Respiratory System

The National Academies' review of e-cigarette evidence found moderate evidence of increased cough and wheeze in adolescents who vape.

The same review found no available evidence, as of 2018, on whether vaping causes respiratory diseases in humans. Long-term studies are still needed.

How Vaping Can Contribute to Bronchitis

Vape aerosol can contain formaldehyde, acrolein, heavy metals, ultrafine particles, and flavoring chemicals. These can irritate and inflame the airways.

Ongoing airway irritation is how smoking leads to chronic bronchitis. Whether vaping does the same, and to what degree, is not yet known.

For adults who smoke, switching completely to vaping reduces exposure to these toxicants. Using both cigarettes and vapes may increase exposure and worsen respiratory outcomes.

Read more about the risks of vaping and its potential negative effects on respiratory health here.

Other Potential Health Risks of Vaping

Vaping has other possible risks. Its long-term effects are still being studied.

Lung damage

Vape aerosol can contain volatile organic compounds and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead. These can irritate lung tissue, but long-term damage in humans is not well measured yet.

The 2019 EVALI outbreak caused serious lung injuries. Most cases were linked to THC-containing products, and vitamin E acetate was strongly linked to the outbreak.

Respiratory infections

Evidence on whether vaping raises the risk of respiratory infections in humans is limited. Sharing devices can also spread germs.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD is a progressive lung disease, and smoking is its main cause. Some studies have found an association between vaping and COPD symptoms, but most users also smoke now or did before, which makes the effect of vaping hard to separate.

Whether vaping causes COPD has not been established.

If you vape to stay off cigarettes, do not go back to smoking. If you do not smoke, do not start vaping. For more, visit Know Your Vape.

Tips for Vapers to Reduce the Risk of Bronchitis

These steps can lower airway irritation and overall risk.

Quitting Vaping

Quitting nicotine entirely is the best way to protect your lungs. The healthiest option is to stop vaping too, once you are sure you will not go back to smoking.

Using Alternative Nicotine Replacement Therapies

Nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges deliver nicotine without inhaling an aerosol. A doctor or quitline can help you use them to step down.

In the US, 1-800-QUIT-NOW offers free coaching.

Practicing Good Respiratory Hygiene

Do not use both cigarettes and vapes. Avoid illicit or THC vape products, which were behind most EVALI cases.

Do not share devices. Clean mouthpieces regularly.

See a doctor if you have a cough that lasts more than a few weeks, cough up blood, or feel short of breath.

For more information on vaping and health, visit KnowYourVape.com.

Conclusion

Vaping is linked to more cough and wheeze, especially in young people. Whether it causes chronic bronchitis or COPD is not yet proven, and long-term studies are needed.

For adults who smoke, switching completely to vaping reduces exposure to harmful chemicals. It is not risk-free, and it is not for non-smokers or anyone under 21.

The best step for your lungs is to quit nicotine entirely, with help from your doctor or a quitline.

For more information, visit KnowYourVape.com.

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