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.

  • Effects of Novel E-cigarette Constituents on Adults TCORS 3.0
    on December 26, 2025 at 5:00 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 (0.1%) menthol (1); Other: E-liquid coolant (No WS-3) for high (2.0%) menthol (1); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low [0.1%] WS-3) for non-menthol (2); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low [0.1%] WS-3) for low (0.1%) menthol (2); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low [0.1%] WS-3) for high (2.0%) menthol (2); Other: E-liquid coolant (High [2.0%] WS-3) for non-menthol (3); Other: E-liquid coolant (High [2.0%] WS-3) for low (0.1%) menthol (3); Other: E-liquid coolant (High [2.0%] WS-3) for high (2.0%) menthol (3); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low [0.1%] WS-23) for non-menthol (4); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low [0.1%] WS-23) for low (0.1%) menthol (4); Other: E-liquid coolant (Low [0.1%] WS-23) for high (2.0%) menthol (4); Other: E-liquid coolant (High [2.0%] WS-23) for non-menthol (5); Other: E-liquid coolant (High [2.0%] WS-23) for low (0.1%) menthol (5); Other: E-liquid coolant (High [2.0%] WS-23) for high (2.0%) menthol (5); Other: E-liquid coolant (4% WS-23) for non-menthol (6); Other: E-liquid coolant (4% WS-23) for low (0.1%) menthol (6); Other: E-liquid coolant (4% WS-23) for high (2.0%) menthol (6) Sponsors: Yale University; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting

  • Effects of E-cigarette Use on Health
    on December 24, 2025 at 5:00 am

    Conditions: Electronic Cigarette Use Interventions: Other: Health Assessments Sponsors: University of Wisconsin, Madison; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Recruiting

  • Comparative Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Synthetic Nicotine
    on December 23, 2025 at 5:00 am

    Conditions: Nicotine Dependence; Nicotine Vaping Interventions: Drug: (S)-Nicotine; Drug: (R)- nicotine; Drug: Racemic nicotine Sponsors: University of California, San Francisco; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting

  • A Trial of Varenicline for E-cigarette Cessation
    on December 17, 2025 at 5:00 am

    Conditions: E-cigarette Use; Vaping; Nicotine Dependence Interventions: Drug: Varenicline 1mg BID; Drug: Placebo Sponsors: Yale University; National Cancer Institute (NCI) Recruiting

  • Clinical Alternatives for Reducing Harm Using E-cigarettes
    on December 17, 2025 at 5:00 am

    Conditions: Smoking; E-Cig Use; Oncology Interventions: Behavioral: Harm Reduction (E-cigarette switching); Behavioral: Standard of Care Sponsors: Medical University of South Carolina; National Cancer Institute (NCI); National Institutes of Health (NIH) Recruiting

  • Screening, Evaluation and Assessment (SEA) Protocol at the NIDA IRP
    on December 16, 2025 at 5:00 am

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

  • Role of Inflammation in Vascular Phenotype Associated With E-cigarette Use
    on December 15, 2025 at 5:00 am

    Conditions: Electronic Cigarette Use; Endothelial Dysfunction; Inflammation Interventions: Drug: Placebo; Drug: Salsalate 750 MG Oral Tablet [DISALCID] Sponsors: University of Iowa Recruiting

  • Sex Differences in the Vascular Effects of E-cigarette Use
    on December 15, 2025 at 5:00 am

    Conditions: E-cigarette Use Interventions: Drug: Local heating + L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester; nitric oxide synthase inhibitor); Other: Chronic estrogen exposure Sponsors: Anna Stanhewicz, PhD Recruiting

  • Comparison of Demand and Substitution for Nicotine Pouches as a Function of Nicotine Dosage
    on December 11, 2025 at 5:00 am

    Conditions: Tobacco Use; Nicotine Pouch Self-Administration Interventions: Other: Nicotine Pouch Dosage Sponsors: William Middleton; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting

  • Reduce Tobacco Use in People Living With HIV in Switzerland
    on November 18, 2025 at 5:00 am

    Conditions: HIV; Smoking Interventions: Other: tobacco smoking substitution products Sponsors: University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland; Swiss National Science Foundation; Novartis Foundation for Medical-Biological Research Recruiting

  • Switching Individuals in Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder Who Smoke Cigarettes to the SREC
    on November 17, 2025 at 5:00 am

    Conditions: Electronic Cigarette Use Interventions: Device: Standardized research e-cigarette (SREC) Sponsors: Massachusetts General Hospital; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting

  • Cessation of Dual Use of Cigarettes and E-cigarettes During Pregnancy
    on November 13, 2025 at 5:00 am

    Conditions: Dual Use of Cigarettes and E-cigarettes; Gestational Weight Gain; Birth-weight-for-gestational-age z Score Interventions: Behavioral: Simultaneous cessation intervention; Behavioral: Stepwise cessation intervention; Behavioral: Behavior counseling only Sponsors: State University of New York at Buffalo; National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) 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.