What is Popcorn Lung?

25 April 2016

Popcorn lung is about as gross as it sounds, really.

We assume you’ve heard the rumours that your vape juices can cause this unpleasant condition and that you’ve found your way to Vape Mountain in a quest for the truth, so let us fill you in.

Also known as Bronchiolitis Obliterans, Obliterative Bronchiolitis or Constrictive Bronchiolitis (let’s stick to ‘popcorn lung’, shall we?) this condition causes the bronchioles, or small airways inside your lungs, to become narrowed, misshaped and generally damaged beyond repair.

Perilous Popcorn

As visual a name as it is, your lungs aren’t going to start popping like corn kernels in your chest if you were to be struck down by a case of Popcorn Lung. The name refers to a famous case that bought one of the condition's causes to national attention, a flavouring called Diacetyl. After a factory producing microwave popcorn had eight workers confirmed to be suffering from lung damage due to working with this chemical every day, it colloquially became known as Popcorn Lung.

Diacetyl is also found in various types of vaping fluid. Now, before you throw your vape pen aside in shock and horror, you should remember that Diacetyl is a flavouring, as in, for food. So you’ve probably digested it before and it (probably) didn’t kill you. You should also remember that as with pretty much every study undertaken for vaping so far, there’s no hard evidence to back up these claims.

Vape No More?

Like we said, so far these are all just claims, and as many opposing studies have also tried to dispel the idea that your vaping habit is going to kill your lungs faster and more thoroughly than cigarettes ever did. If you are worried then there are brands that blend their e-juices without any Diacetyl at all, and even 100% organic VG mixes for the truly discerning vaper.

There is no evidence to irrevocably prove that vaping will cause popcorn lung, in the same way that there is no evidence to prove any of the long-term health consequences of the habit.  Not vaping or smoking will always be healthier than doing either, if you’re one of the millions of users who believe vaping can help you make a lifestyle change away from tobacco, then don’t let a unverified claim put you off taking the first steps to a  healthier lifestyle!

Want to make the vaping change? Head to our online store and find your perfect e-juice mix today!

See Our Trending E-Liquids!

EDGE Strawberry and Lime E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Strawberry and Lime E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
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OK Vape Tobacco Low Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (6mg)

OK Vape Tobacco Low Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (6mg)

£6.99
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  • Tobacco-flavoured electronic cigarette refill
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Vuse Pro ePod Chilled Mint Refill Pods (3mg)

Vuse Pro ePod Chilled Mint Refill Pods (3mg)

£6.49
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Lost Mary BM600 Watermelon Ice Disposable Vape (20mg)

Lost Mary BM600 Watermelon Ice Disposable Vape (20mg)

£4.95
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  • Disposable vape device in an icy menthol watermelon flavour 
  • Provides 600 puffs per vape, roughly the same as 20 cigarettes
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EDGE Heizen E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

EDGE Heizen E-Liquid (Pack of 5)

£11.99
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OK Vape E-Cigarette Low Strength Menthol Refill Cartridges (6mg)

OK Vape E-Cigarette Low Strength Menthol Refill Cartridges (6mg)

£6.99
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  • Menthol flavour refill cartridges for the OK Rechargeable E-Cigarette
  • Each pack contains five cartridges and lasts for the equivalent of 125 traditional cigarettes
  • Low strength with 6mg of nicotine in each cartridge
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  • FREE OK Vape Starter Kit Offer: Enter switch2ok at checkout
Elf Bar 600 Strawberry Raspberry Cherry Ice Disposable Vape Pen (20mg)

Elf Bar 600 Strawberry Raspberry Cherry Ice Disposable Vape Pen (20mg)

£4.99
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  • Disposable vape pen supplied in a delicious mixed berry flavour
  • Provides 600 puffs per bar, roughly the same as 20 cigarettes
  • Compact, portable and drag-activated for a great vape experience 
  • Mix and match 10 of any flavour to reduce price to £3.80 per device
OK Vape Tobacco High Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (18mg)

OK Vape Tobacco High Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (18mg)

£6.99
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  • Tobacco-flavoured electronic cigarette refill
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  • High nicotine strength of 18mg
  • Each pack contains 5 refills, with bulk offers available
  • Available from £5.20 per pack!
  • FREE OK Vape Starter Kit Offer: Enter switch2ok at checkout
Blu 2.0 Golden Tobacco Liquidpods (18mg)

Blu 2.0 Golden Tobacco Liquidpods (18mg)

£6.99
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  • Provides a consistent vapour in a rich golden tobacco flavour
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OK Vape Tobacco Medium Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (12mg)

OK Vape Tobacco Medium Nicotine E-Cigarette Refills (12mg)

£6.99
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  • Tobacco-flavoured electronic cigarette refill
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  • Medium nicotine strength of 12mg
  • Each pack contains 5 refills, with bulk offers available
  • Available from £5.20 per pack!
  • FREE OK Vape Starter Kit Offer: Enter switch2ok at checkout
Lost Mary BM600 Pineapple Ice Disposable Vape (20mg)

Lost Mary BM600 Pineapple Ice Disposable Vape (20mg)

£4.95
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  • Disposable vape device in a tasty pineapple flavour
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Elf Bar 600 ElfTurbo Ice (Elfbull Ice) Disposable Vape Pen (20mg)

Elf Bar 600 ElfTurbo Ice (Elfbull Ice) Disposable Vape Pen (20mg)

£4.99
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  • Disposable vape pen supplied in an authentic energy drink flavour
  • Provides 600 puffs per bar, roughly the same as 20 cigarettes
  • Compact, portable and drag-activated for a great vape experience 
  • Mix and match 10 of any flavour to reduce price to £3.80 per device