Unit 4 Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 282 aerosol can lead to respiratory conditions, including inflammation and long-term lung disease. One rare lung disease related to vaping is popcorn lung. Diacetyl, a flavoring found in more than 75 percent of flavored e-liquids, causes this disease (Figure 9.7). Popcorn lung causes scarring and inflammation in the bronchioles, the smallest airways in the lungs. This can cause coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Vaping also harms health in other ways. For example, vape battery explosions can cause serious injury and even death. Some people also use vaping devices to consume other drugs such as marijuana. Health Effects of Smokeless Tobacco Smokeless tobacco contains nicotine and carcinogens. The harmful effects of these substances are the same as if they were smoked. In fact, because smokeless tobacco is placed directly into the mouth, people who use these products actually absorb even more nicotine than people who smoke. People who use smokeless tobacco are less likely to develop lung diseases than people who use cigarettes or vaping devices. They do increase their risk of developing other serious diseases, however. Figure 9.8 shows the health risks of smokeless tobacco. C4H6O2 C4H6O2 C4H6O2 C4H6O2 C4H6O2 C4H6O2 C4H6O2 DdY i o u Know? Now, microwave popcorn does not contain diacetyl, but flavored e-liquids do. Diacetyl (C4H6O2) is the chemical that gives popcorn its buttery flavor. Workers at a microwave popcorn factory developed popcorn lung, a very serious disease, after breathing in diacetyl. Popcorn bucket: Finka/Shutterstock.com Smoke: Arcady/Shutterstock.com Figure 9.7 The chemical diacetyl (C4H6O2), an ingredient in flavored e-liquids, was removed from microwave popcorn because breathing it in caused factory workers to develop a serious disease called popcorn lung. Health Risks of Smokeless Tobacco Cancers of the mouth, throat, cheek, gums, lips, tongue, pancreas, and esophagus Leukoplakia, a condition characterized by thickened, white, leathery spots inside the mouth, which can develop into oral cancer Heart disease Dental disease, including teeth staining, bad breath, tooth decay and loss, gum disease, and gum recession Figure 9.8 Smokeless tobacco is just as harmful as cigarettes or vaping devices, and can put users at risk for certain cancers, leukoplakia, heart disease, and dental diseases.