2025 Vaping Clinical Trials, Research & Treatment

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.

Effects of Novel E-cigarette Constituents on Adults TCORS 3.0
on August 17, 2025 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Nicotine Use Disorder Interventions: Other: E-liquid coolant (No WS-3) for non-menthol (1); Other: E-liquid coolant (No WS-3) for low menthol (1); Other: E-liquid coolant (No WS-3) for high menthol (1); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low WS-3) for non-menthol (2); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low WS-3) for low menthol (2); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low WS-3) for high menthol (2); Other: E-liquid coolant (High WS-3) for non-menthol (3); Other: E-liquid coolant (High WS-3) for low menthol (3); Other: E-liquid coolant (High WS-3) for high menthol (3); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low WS-23) for non-menthol (4); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low WS-23) for low menthol (4); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low WS-23) for high menthol (4); Other: E-liquid coolant (High WS-23) for non-menthol (5); Other: E-liquid coolant (High WS-23) for low menthol (5); Other: E-liquid coolant (High WS-23) for high menthol (5) Sponsors: Yale University; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting
Hippocampal Network Changes Following Mindfulness Training in Tobacco Vaping Adolescents in an Open-label, Pilot Study
on August 14, 2025 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Vaping Teens; Healthy Volunteers Interventions: Behavioral: Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program Sponsors: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting
Novel Pulmonary Imaging of Lung Structure and Function in E-cigarette Smokers
on August 14, 2025 at 4:00 am
Conditions: E Cigarette Use Interventions: Diagnostic Test: Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 MRI of the lungs; Diagnostic Test: Computed Tomography (CT); Diagnostic Test: Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT); Diagnostic Test: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET); Diagnostic Test: Sputum analysis; Diagnostic Test: Blood analysis; Other: Questionnaires Sponsors: Western University, Canada; London Health Sciences Centre Recruiting
Vape-Free Text-Messaging: Pilot Study
on August 7, 2025 at 4:00 am
Conditions: E-cigarette Use Interventions: Behavioral: E-cigarette cessation text-messaging intervention; Behavioral: Standard care control using standard national resources Sponsors: Jovan Gwon, PhD, RN, FIAAN Recruiting
Screening, Evaluation and Assessment (SEA) Protocol at the NIDA IRP
on August 1, 2025 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Substance Use Disorder; Alcohol Use Disorder Sponsors: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting
Testing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Social Media and Digital Therapeutics to Decrease Vaping Behaviors
on July 17, 2025 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
Adolescent Vaping Characterization and Parent Views on Adolescent Vaping Protocol
on July 17, 2025 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Healthy Volunteers; Vaping Teens Sponsors: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting
Effects of E-cigarette Use on Health
on July 16, 2025 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Electronic Cigarette Use Interventions: Other: Health Assessments Sponsors: University of Wisconsin, Madison; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Recruiting
Behavioral Intervention for Youth to Promote Vaping Cessation
on July 16, 2025 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Vaping; Vaping Teens; Nicotine Dependence Interventions: Behavioral: QuitVaping; Behavioral: This is Quitting (TIQ) Sponsors: Massachusetts General Hospital; National Cancer Institute (NCI) Recruiting
Pilot Study of the YES-CAN! Program to Prevent Youth Nicotine Vaping
on July 15, 2025 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Nicotine Vaping Interventions: Behavioral: YES-CAN! program Sponsors: University of Colorado, Denver; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting
Evaluation of the Electronic Cigarette Withdrawal Syndrome
on July 14, 2025 at 4:00 am
Conditions: E-cigarette Use; Withdrawal Interventions: Drug: Transdermal Nicotine Patch; Drug: Placebo Nicotine Patch Sponsors: Johns Hopkins University; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting
Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Findings and Impact on Vaping
on July 4, 2025 at 4:00 am
Conditions: Vaping Interventions: Behavioral: Discussion of point-of-care ultrasound lung findings Sponsors: Medical University of South Carolina 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.