In recent years, e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults has been rising. According to the recently released report by the Surgeon General, “E-cigarettes are now the most commonly used tobacco product among youth in the United States.” Furthermore, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated, “Tobacco use among youth and young adults in any form, including e-cigarettes, is not safe”.

E-cigarettes produce a cloud-like vapor by heating what is known as e-liquid. E-liquid is a viscous fluid composed of propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), flavorings, and other chemical additives such as nicotine. Many of these flavorings and chemical additives contained in the e-liquid have never been tested on the lungs and their effects are largely unknown.