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Published 2025-11-03
Does Vaping Cause Popcorn Lung?
According to the NHS and Cancer Research UK, there is no evidence that vaping causes popcorn lung. This article explores what popcorn lung is, why it became associated with vaping, and what the current science is saying.
Key Takeaways
- Popcorn lung is a rare disease involving inflammation and scarring of small airways in the lung.
- The term arose from workers in a popcorn factory developing the condition.
- Vaping does not cause popcorn lung, according to UK health authorities.
- Diacetyl, the chemical linked to popcorn lung, is banned in UK vape products.
- No clinically documented cases of popcorn lung from vaping or smoking exist.
Does Vaping Cause Popcorn Lung?
No, there is no evidence that vaping causes popcorn lung.
According to several health authorities, there has never been a clinically documented case of popcorn lung caused by vaping.
Cancer Research UK, one of the world’s leading cancer research charities, says:1
“There have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung linked to e-cigarettes.”
Similarly, the NHS states:2
“Vaping does not cause ‘popcorn lung’, the common name for a rare disease called bronchiolitis obliterans.”
What Is Popcorn Lung?
Popcorn lung is the informal name for a condition called bronchiolitis obliterans, which is a rare but serious lung disease.3,4
This disease occurs when the tiny airways in the lung (bronchioles) become inflamed and scarred. This makes it difficult for air to flow in and out.
The term “popcorn lung” emerged in the early 2000s after workers in a microwave popcorn factory developed lung problems:
- Workers were exposed to high levels of diacetyl
- Diacetyl is a chemical used to create buttery flavouring
- The exposed workers developed coughing and shortness of breath
- They had not been properly protected from inhaling chemical vapours
This case raised awareness about the risks of inhaling diacetyl, a chemical which had previously been found in some vapes.
However, even if diacetyl was a risk factor, the chemical has been banned as an ingredient in e-cigarettes and e-liquids in the UK and EU since 2016.1
This means that UK vapers are not exposed to diacetyl through vapes.
Read "A Guide to UK Vaping Laws" for more information on the legal landscape surrounding vapes.
Has a Vaper Ever Developed Popcorn Lung?
There is one case that is sometimes mentioned when discussing vapers and popcorn lung.
In 2019, a 17-year-old in Canada was hospitalised after vaping heavily for five months.8
The individual had vaped daily for the preceding five months, had used THC cartridges, and had alternated between different flavour cartridges.
Doctors suspected popcorn lung, but the diagnosis was never confirmed. This is because a lung biopsy (the only way to accurately diagnose popcorn lung) was unable to be performed due to the risks involved.
It is therefore not known whether the teen had popcorn lung or if he had developed another condition.
It was also unclear whether the vape products used by the teen contained diacetyl or any other specific chemical.
Smoking and Popcorn Lung
While vapes have been linked to concerns about popcorn lung, what about cigarettes?
Cigarette smoke contains diacetyl at levels hundreds of times higher than those found in e-liquids.
Despite this, at least one peer-reviewed study states that there have been no documented cases of bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung) caused by cigarette smoking.5
The UK Health Security Agency says:6
“Even at these levels [of diacetyl in cigarette smoke], smoking is not a major risk factor for this rare disease [i.e. popcorn lung].”
Our Swaptober campaign invites adult smokers to explore tobacco-free nicotine alternatives during the month of October, such as tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
Do Cigarettes Challenge the Diacetyl-Popcorn Lung Theory?
The same peer-reviewed study found that smokers are exposed to far higher amounts of diacetyl than workers in food and flavouring factories, which is where the original cases of popcorn lung were documented.4 (However, the most affected workers in one study were flavour compounders, who were more likely to be heavily exposed.)9
Because smoking—despite its much higher diacetyl levels—has not been linked to popcorn lung, the study questions whether diacetyl exposure alone can explain the development of popcorn lung.
According to the study, this suggests that other factors could also be important, such as the intensity and frequency of exposure to diacetyl or other chemicals used in the factory.
For now, further investigation is needed to fully understand the relationship between diacetyl and popcorn lung.
What Causes Popcorn Lung?
It’s common to ask what causes popcorn lung.
There are several factors associated with developing popcorn lung. Cigarette smoking and vaping are not known factors.
These factors include:9
- Inhaling diacetyl (or other harmful chemicals)
- Having a lung transplant
- Experiencing a severe respiratory infection
- Having an autoimmune disease (like rheumatoid arthritis)
There are no clinically documented cases of cigarette smoking or vaping causing popcorn lung.
Symptoms of Popcorn Lung
Popcorn lung is a very rare condition and the current understanding of popcorn lung symptoms are based on a handful of cases.
Popcorn lung symptoms include:4
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing
These symptoms are also common to several other less serious conditions. See a doctor if you think that you are experiencing these symptoms.
Final Thoughts
Popcorn lung is a real but rare condition—and one that has never been clinically linked to vaping, according to the NHS and Cancer Research UK.
Moreover, the chemical that is typically associated with popcorn lung, diacetyl, is banned in UK vape products.
Smoking, which exposes users to far more diacetyl, has also never been linked to popcorn lung.
FAQs Vaping and Popcorn Lung
Is popcorn lung real?
Yes, popcorn lung is real. Popcorn lung is the nickname for bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare lung disease caused by inflammation and scarring of the bronchioles (the small airways in the lung).
Does vaping cause popcorn lung?
No, there is no evidence that vaping causes popcorn lung. According to Cancer Research UK and the NHS, there have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung caused by vaping.
What causes popcorn lung?
Clinically documented causes of popcorn lung include exposure to diacetyl in factories, viral infections, and complications from chemotherapy or transplant rejection.
What are the symptoms of popcorn lung?
The symptoms of popcorn lung include shortness of breath, wheezing, and a persistent cough not linked to asthma or a cold.
Is diacetyl still used in vape products?
No, diacetyl is not used in vape products in the UK and EU. It is banned in regulated e-cigarettes and e-liquids sold in the UK and EU.
If you have concerns about your lung health or the safety of nicotine products, always choose regulated products and consult a healthcare professional.
References
- Does vaping cause popcorn lung? Cancer Research UK.
- Vaping myths and the facts. NHS.
- Clinical bronchiolitis obliterans in workers at a microwave-popcorn plant. Kathleen Kreiss et al.
- Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in popcorn production plant workers. M. Akpinar-Elci et al.
- Diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione exposures associated with cigarette smoking: implications for risk assessment of food and flavoring workers. Jennifer S Pierce et al.
- Clearing up some myths around e-cigarettes. UK Health Security Agency.
- Popcorn Lung (Bronchiolitis Obliterans). Cleveland Clinic.
- Life-threatening bronchiolitis related to electronic cigarette use in a Canadian youth. Canadian Medical Association Journal.
- Fixed Obstructive Lung Disease Among Workers in the Flavor-Manufacturing Industry --- California, 2004--2007. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
