On October 6, 2026, researchers at National Jewish Health — one of the world's leading respiratory research institutions — published a new study in JCI Insight that adds to the growing body of evidence about vaping's effects on lung tissue.
The study, titled "E-cigarette exposure triggers distal lung cell injury, persistent lung stress response, and antiviral immune suppression," was led by senior author Dr. Irina Petrache, a pulmonologist and chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at National Jewish Health.
Why this study matters: Most vaping research has focused on the upper airways or large airways. This study specifically looked at the distal lung — the deep, delicate tissue where oxygen passes into the bloodstream. Damage to this region is more functionally significant than upper airway irritation. The study also investigated persistent effects after vaping stops, which is a relatively understudied area.
