Research from the University of Pittsburgh indicates that mint-flavored e-cigarettes produce more harmful vapor particles and are associated with decreased lung function. Utilizing a "vaping robot" that simulates human breathing, scientists found menthol users had shallower breaths and worse lung function than those using non-menthol products, even when controlling for age, gender, race, and other substance use. The study, published in Respiratory Research, revealed that menthol e-liquids generated increased microparticles compared to non-menthol options.
This highlights the misconception, especially among youth, that vaping is a safe alternative to smoking. Senior author Kambez H. Benam emphasized the dangers of inhaling compounds that are safe to consume. With the rise of vaping among 2.5 million young users in 2022, the FDA is pushing to ban menthol in tobacco products to reduce associated health risks. The researchers developed the "vaping robot" to improve toxicity testing, which lacks the precision of human inhalation patterns seen in traditional tests. Their findings suggest menthol could pose similar risks to those previously linked to vitamin E acetate, known for causing lung injuries. Further studies are needed to understand these risks fully.
