Vaping: difference between inhalation and oral toxicology

The UK experts’ position on the (relative) safety of vaping is scientifically flawed.1 Alan Boobis, chair of the UK Committee on Toxicology, says that “most of the flavours (in vaping) are used in food and are not going to give rise to hazardous byproducts,” which implies that these substances are safe when inhaled. The reverse is true.

The commonest cause of occupational asthma in most of Europe is inhaled flour in bakers, who are mostly able to eat cooked bread without problems.2 We have also shown that thiamine can cause asthma when inhaled (in the production of breakfast cereals), despite its requirement as an essential element in food,3 and that most vitamins have the chemical structure of respiratory allergens.4

The “safety” of vaping is based on theoretical grounds, rather than observational science. Those promoting vaping should take account of the differences between inhalation and oral toxicology.