The Truth About Vaping

This transcript has been edited for clarity.

I'm Dr Neil Skolnik, and today I will talk about a 2023 American Heart Association Scientific Statement on the cardiopulmonary impact of electronic cigarettes and vaping.

This snuck up on us. The FDA tried to keep vaping products out of the United States, based on the rationale that they are a drug delivery device. That was brought to litigation by the companies that make vaping products, and the FDA lost in court in 2010.

Since that time, vaping use among high school students increased from approximately 1% of students in 2011 to the current 10%-20% over the past 4 years. The prevalence of vaping nicotine products has eclipsed cigarette use among youth. (The current use of cigarettes is about 2% among high school students.)

Vaping basics. I'm using the term to encompass both e-cigarettes and vaping products. The term used in the scientific literature is ENDS, which stands for electronic nicotine delivery systems. In these systems, a heating coil vaporizes the fluid that has been put in the device. The fluid often includes a vehicle of propylene glycol and glycerol, as well as nicotine. Flavorings — fruit, menthol, mint, candy, and dessert flavors — are common additives.