Clinical Trials on the Effects of Vaping

What is it? Conditions Research Further Clinical Trials Conclusion

What is Vaping?

Vaping refers to inhaling and exhaling aerosolized particles from an e-cigarette. An e-cigarette is an electronic device filled with a nicotine-based liquid that is vaporized when the device is used.

Vaping was initially hailed as an important innovation. It was believed smokers could use e-cigarettes as an alternative to tobacco. This would reduce exposure to nicotine, tar, and other hazardous substances.

What’s more, many smokers considered vaping soothing, giving them “something to do with their hands” and a way to react in stressful situations where they would usually smoke. Some people succeeded in using vaping as a stepping stone to quit smoking.

With that said, the long term effects of vaping have not been fully studied. While many individuals view vaping as a step in the right direction to eliminate smoking, more research needs to be compiled on the effects it can have on individuals and society as a whole.

What Conditions is Vaping Associated With?

The unique condition associated with vaping is referred by the new medical acronym EVALI.

It stands for E-Cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury.

As of October 22, 2019, 34 known deaths were associated with EVALI. The median age of victims was 45 and 59% of them were men.

In total, nearly 2,300 cases of EVALI were reported to the CDC by November 20, 2019. All 50 states have been affected except Alaska.

Samples of lung tissue taken from victims have tested positive for high amounts of vitamin E acetate, a toxin in some vaping products. Vitamin E acetate is believed to be safe when used in nutritional supplements or skincare products, but not when ingested.

Lung damage caused by EVALI can cause symptoms similar to pneumonia. Damage to the lungs makes it difficult for the body to take in oxygen and distribute it throughout the body.

EVALI is distinct from, but related to, bronchiolitis obliterans – also known as popcorn lung. This is an inflammatory condition that affects the tiniest airways within the lungs. Inflammation can lead to scarring that blocks airways, causing coughing and shortness of breath.

What Research Currently Exists Around Vaping?

The association between vaping and EVALI is already an established scientific fact. However, it is not yet clear exactly what risk factors contribute to the development of EVALI.

Current research focuses on finding a definitive answer for what chemicals or other factors may be responsible for EVALI. This will help the medical community understand why some e-cigarette enthusiasts are affected and others are not, paving the way for effective treatment.

Why Are Further Vaping Clinical Trials Important?

Vaping clinical trials will be essential to the long-term health and quality of life of those affected by EVALI or popcorn lung. Evidence of disease has been found in teens as well as elderly adults.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment capable of reversing the lung damage caused by EVALI. As with other pervasive lung disorders, such as COPD, therapies are likely to focus on preserving healthy lung function.

Current Vaping Clinical Trials

This is the current list of active vaping clinical trials on record with ClinicalTrials.gov.

Patients are advised to watch this space carefully, since new clinical resources for vaping health are being developed rapidly.

  • Development of a Mobile Health Intervention for Electronic Cigarette Use Among Young Adults
    on April 27, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Tobacco Products; Cigarette Smoking Interventions: Behavioral: EQUIP; Behavioral: Standard Care Sponsors: University of Chicago Recruiting

  • Social Media Support Groups for Adolescent Vaping Cessation
    on April 23, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Vaping; Vaping Cessation; Nicotine Dependence Interventions: Behavioral: Social Media Intervention Sponsors: University of California, San Francisco; National Cancer Institute (NCI); Rescue Agency; HopeLab Foundation Recruiting

  • The Avenues Study: Dual Use Cessation
    on April 13, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Smoking Cessation; Electronic Cigarette Use Interventions: Drug: Varenicline; Drug: Nicotine patch; Behavioral: Dual Focused Cessation Counseling; Behavioral: Smoking Focused Cessation Counseling; Other: Counseling Intensity: 1 Session; Other: Counseling Intensity: 4 Sessions Sponsors: University of Wisconsin, Madison; National Cancer Institute (NCI) Recruiting

  • Testing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Social Media and Digital Therapeutics to Decrease Vaping Behaviors
    on April 13, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Nicotine Vaping; Nicotine Use Disorder Interventions: Device: quitSTART Mobile Application; Behavioral: Chatbot Feature in quitSTART Mobile Application Sponsors: Washington University School of Medicine; The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston; University of South Carolina; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting

  • Effect of Cannabis on E-Cigarette Use Behavior
    on April 9, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Cannabis Use; Tobacco Use; Electronic Cigarette Use Interventions: Drug: THC High Dose; Drug: THC Low Dose; Drug: THC 0mg; Drug: E-Cigarette Full Nicotine; Drug: E-Cigarette Placebo Nicotine Sponsors: Johns Hopkins University; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting

  • Screening, Evaluation and Assessment (SEA) Protocol at the NIDA IRP
    on April 8, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Substance Use Disorder; Alcohol Use Disorder Sponsors: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting

  • Developing and Testing Health Warning Labels on the ENDS Device
    on April 3, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Electronic Cigarette Use Interventions: Other: Preferred ENDS; Other: Preferred ENDS with HWL Sponsors: Florida International University; University of Miami Recruiting

  • The Impact of Chronic E-Cigarette Usage on Microvascular Health
    on April 3, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: E-Cig Use Interventions: Other: E-cig use Sponsors: Virginia Commonwealth University Recruiting

  • Effect of Menthol on ENDS Users' Addiction and Exposure
    on April 1, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Electronic Cigarette Use Interventions: Other: Menthol-flavored e-cigarette; Other: Tobacco-flavored e-cigarette Sponsors: Florida International University Recruiting

  • The Canadian Lung Outcomes in Users of Vaping Devices Study
    on March 30, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Small Airways Diseases; Vaping; Vaping Related Disorder; Vaping Teens; Vaping Behavior Sponsors: University of British Columbia; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute; Providence Healthcare; British Columbia Cancer Agency; University of Alberta; McMaster University; University of Ottawa; Université de Sherbrooke; University of Toronto Recruiting

  • The Use of tDCS for Vaping Reduction
    on March 19, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Vaping; Addiction; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation(tDCS) Interventions: Device: Active tDCS; Device: Sham tDCS Sponsors: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Recruiting

  • Dissolved Phase HXe-129 MRI: A Novel Biomarker to Quantify Pulmonary Pathology
    on March 17, 2026 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Electronic Cigarette Related Lung Damage Interventions: Drug: Hyperpolarized xenon 129; Diagnostic Test: Cardiopulmonary Stress Test; Diagnostic Test: Pulmonary Function Test; Diagnostic Test: Chest CT Sponsors: Y. Michael Shim, MD; Duke University; George Mason University Recruiting

Conclusion

It is not yet known whether EVALI represents a widespread health risk that could affect millions of users or is isolated to certain products or practices. Whatever the case, thousands of people face severe health effects right now.

Today’s vaping clinical trials will be essential to the health of former and future e-cigarette users. Being aware of the potential risks of vaping – and making family and friends aware of those risks – is advisable as more information becomes available.