Debunking the Popcorn Lung Myth

Vaping does not cause popcorn lung, but that has not stopped the media from continually repeating that it does. Constantly repeated by media outlets, this term has become a buzzword — and a misleading one at that.

What Is Popcorn Lung?

“Popcorn lung” is the nickname for a rare but serious lung condition called bronchiolitis obliterans, which damages the smallest airways in the lungs, making breathing difficult. The term originated in the early 2000s, when workers in a microwave popcorn factory developed the condition after prolonged exposure to high levels of diacetyl, a chemical used to create buttery flavouring.

This led to serious concern about inhaling certain flavouring chemicals in the workplace — but the conditions were extreme, the regulation lacking, and the setting highly industrial. The link between diacetyl and popcorn lung is real, but highly context-specific.

Vaping, Diacetyl, and Media Panic

The myth that vaping causes popcorn lung largely took hold because some early vape liquids contained trace amounts of diacetyl. Sensationalist media seized on the word "popcorn lung" and amplified the fear — despite the fact that cigarette smoke contains much higher levels of diacetyl, and even then, has not been linked to the disease.

In fact, there has never been a clinically documented case of popcorn lung caused by vaping.

“This kind of fearmongering is not just misleading — it’s dangerous,” says Dr Marina Murphy, Senior Director of Scientific Affairs at Haypp Group. “We know vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking. Spreading myths like this could be deterring smokers from switching to safer alternatives.”

What the Experts Say

Leading public health organisations agree:

• UK NHS: “Vaping does not cause ‘popcorn lung’.”
• Cancer Research UK: “E-cigarettes don’t cause the lung condition known as popcorn lung.”
• UK Health Security Agency: Diacetyl is banned in e-liquids and was only ever found at levels hundreds of times lower than in cigarette smoke.

The European Union and the UK ban diacetyl from use in e-cigarettes. Meanwhile, tobacco smoke — a known cause of fatal diseases — still contains it naturally due to combustion.

The Real Harm: Misinformation

The obsession with popcorn lung and vaping is not just scientifically unfounded; it's a distraction. By leaning on outdated studies and ignoring regulatory developments, media narratives are muddying public understanding — and potentially stopping people from quitting smoking.

Bottom line: The popcorn lung myth is just that — a myth. Let’s stop scaring smokers away from less harmful alternatives and focus on facts, not fear.