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A Baylor College of Medicine study, funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH), shows chronic exposure to e-cigarette vapors damages lungs and lowers immune response to pathogens. The four-month study, which did not address the additional harms caused by nicotine, revealed that vaping alters the composition of epithelial and immune cells of the lungs, causing a buildup of lipids (insoluble fat) that affect lung function and reduce the ability to fight off infection.

The study proposes the cause of the lung cell malfunction is linked to the vaping liquids which contain solvents such as propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). These types of solvents are FDA-approved for ingestion, not inhalation. E-cigarette liquids are also known to contain a host of unknown chemicals that may cause further damage.

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In yet another farcical attempt to control the unregulated vaping industry, The FDA has issued a “warning letter” to JUUL accusing it of violating the FD&C act in its advertising by claiming it is a healthy alternative to cigarette smoking.

The letter, one of many issued to the big vape company, instructs JUUL to “immediately correct the violations that are referenced above, as well as violations that are the same as or similar to those stated above, and take any necessary actions to bring your tobacco products into compliance with the FD&C Act.”

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Alexander Mitchell never expected that vaping would place him inches from death’s door. At 20 years old, Mitchell was an avid hiker and in seemingly perfect health. But then, one day, he had severe nausea, chest pains, and couldn’t breathe. He ended up in the hospital under critical care. Doctors in Utah were baffled until they spotted abnormal immune cells in his lungs. They diagnosed Mitchell with acute respiratory distress syndrome and attributed his lung failure to vaping.
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The FDA recently added “seizures” as a possible danger associated with vaping after reviewing 127 cases that reference e-cigarettes as a possible causal factor. Reports indicate that seizures have occurred “after a few puffs or even up to one day after use” of e-cigarettes. The seizure investigation is part of an ongoing scientific evaluation of e-cigarette safety.

The FDA is currently working to “identify common risk factors” and determine whether any specific e-cigarette product attributes, such as nicotine content or formulation, may be more likely to contribute to seizures.

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A recent New York Times opinion article by Former FDA Commissioner (1990-1997), David A. Kesslerm, states the Juul e-cigarette design appeals to kids. Kesslerm opines the product design matches the “tobacco playbook” by decreasing the harshness of the nicotine and inhaling effect to increase use in new smokers.

Kesslerm cited tobacco industry documents from the fifties that revealed an insidious strategy to design such products to draw in new users. The internal studies revealed “product design changes that make cigarettes more palatable, easier to smoke, or more addictive are also likely to encourage greater uptake of smoking.” Kesslerm asserts this is exactly the type of product created by Juul, which added organic acids to decrease harshness from the higher nicotine content.

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San Francisco Mayor London Breed officially signed the ban on e-cigarette sales within city limits. The City is set to implement the ordinance within approximately 7 months. Juul, which claims more than 70% of the e-cigarette market, is trying to fight the City with a ballot initiative to roll back the new rule. Juul and other e-cigarette proponents claim the new ordinance will hurt local businesses and force people back to smoking traditional cigarettes.
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BMJ’s journal, Tobacco Control, just released a study recommending that the FDA do more to control Juul’s e-cigarette advertising in social media. The study included review of over 15000 posts in a three-month period during 2018. Approximately 30% of reviewed posts were promotional, e.g., leading to Juul purchase locations, and over half the posts included “youth” and “youth lifestyle” themes. Because many of these posts were re-posts or user-generated, rather than ads specifically placed by Juul, the company protested that 99% were third-party content over which Juul had no control. However, the intended goal for social media advertising is to “share” and to inspire creation of third-party user-generated content that is also shared. Juul’s public comments weirdly suggest they don’t understand social media advertising. That is quite unlikely.
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On the heels of San Francisco announcing a full ban on sales of e-cigarettes, the State of Vermont announced its own plan for e-cigarette control — a 92% tax. The bill, supported by Gov. Phil Scott, has passed the house and now moves on to the Senate for approval. The state predicts the increased price will decrease purchases by underage users.
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