E-cigarette– and vaping-associated lung injury

E-cigarette– and vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a rare, but potentially fatal respiratory illness in which individuals develop pneumonia associated with lipid-laden macrophages in the lungs.

EVALI may occur with nicotine-only vaping liquid but more commonly occurs with vaping liquids containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), vitamin E acetate and oil-containing additivesPark, 2022. Only products designed specifically for vaporising and inhalation should be used in vaping units. Cannabis oil should not be used in vaping unitsChadi, 2020.

Given the risk of EVALI, if a patient is using nicotine vaping products and has not tried first-line methods of reducing nicotine intake, encourage them to switch from vaping. Offer alternative management for nicotine dependence; see Overview of drug therapy for tobacco smoking and nicotine dependence.