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.

  • Assess the Influence of Nicotine Flux and Nicotine Form on Subjective Effects Related to Dependency
    on June 22, 2025 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Nicotine Vaping; Nicotine Dependence; Nicotine Addiction Interventions: Combination Product: e-liquid 1; Combination Product: e-liquid 2; Combination Product: e-liquid 3; Combination Product: e-liquid 4; Combination Product: e-liquid 5; Combination Product: e-liquid 6; Combination Product: e-liquid 7 and e-liquid 8; Combination Product: e-liquid 9 and e-liquid 10 Sponsors: American University of Beirut Medical Center; National Institutes of Health (NIH); National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting

  • Effects of Novel E-cigarette Constituents on Adults TCORS 3.0
    on June 18, 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

  • Screening, Evaluation and Assessment (SEA) Protocol at the NIDA IRP
    on June 17, 2025 at 4:00 am

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

  • Young Adult Tobacco/Nicotine and Cannabis Co-use
    on June 15, 2025 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Tobacco Use Disorder; Nicotine Dependence Interventions: Behavioral: Counseling; Behavioral: Contingency management; Behavioral: Text-based support Sponsors: Medical University of South Carolina; National Cancer Institute (NCI) Recruiting

  • Hippocampal Network Changes Following Mindfulness Training in Tobacco Vaping Adolescents in an Open-label, Pilot Study
    on June 13, 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

  • Pilot Study of the YES-CAN! Program to Prevent Youth Nicotine Vaping
    on June 6, 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

  • Social Media Anti-Vaping Messages to Reduce ENDS Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Teens
    on May 28, 2025 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Vaping; Adolescent Behavior; Communication Research Interventions: Other: Tailored Sponsors: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine; University of Florida Recruiting

  • Early Detection of Vaping-related Vascular Diseases
    on May 28, 2025 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Vaping; Blood Vessel Injury Sponsors: University of Miami; Florida Department of Health Recruiting

  • AI-Enhanced App-based Intervention for Adolescent E-cigarette Cessation
    on May 18, 2025 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Nicotine Dependence, Cigarettes Interventions: Behavioral: AI-enhanced smartphone app; Behavioral: AI-enhanced smartphone app, but with delayed access Sponsors: State University of New York at Buffalo; National Cancer Institute (NCI); Advanced Bionics Recruiting

  • Concurrent vs. Sequential Cessation of Dual Cigarette and E-cigarette Use
    on May 6, 2025 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Cigarette Smoking; E-Cigarette Use; Smoking Cessation Interventions: Drug: Varenicline; Behavioral: Counseling; Behavioral: Guided Self-Change Booklets Sponsors: Yale University; National Cancer Institute (NCI) Recruiting

  • Sex Differences in E-cig Perception: Study 1
    on May 2, 2025 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Nicotine Addiction; E-Cig Use; Cigarette Smoking; Sex Differences Interventions: Other: E-liquid Flavor 1; Other: E-liquid Flavor 2; Other: E-liquid Flavor 3 Sponsors: Yale University; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Recruiting

  • Vaping and Smoking Project in People With Schizophrenia
    on April 25, 2025 at 4:00 am

    Conditions: Acute Abstinence From Cigarettes vs E-cigarettes (ENDS) Interventions: Behavioral: Acute (24-hour) abstinence; Behavioral: Ad libitum smoking/vaping Sponsors: State University of New York at Buffalo; Roswell Park Cancer Institute; National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) 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.