"Space oil" etomidate has gained significant attention in Hong Kong as an addictive substance often vaped through e-cigarettes. However, even without etomidate, vaping poses serious health risks. The largest study to date, involving 249,190 individuals, found strong associations between vaping and conditions such as hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)7. Additionally, previous research suggests that e-cigarette components may contribute to asthma and lung cancer8. Notably, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not deemed any e-cigarette safe or effective for smoking cessation9. These large-scale findings should inform the development of regulatory frameworks for tobacco products.
References
6. Andrews CJ, et al. Nat Commun. 2025;16(1):3431. 7. Erhabor J, et al. Nicotine Tob Res. 2025;ntaf067. 8. Bein K, et al. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2011;55(9):1342-1360. 9. The Impact of E-Cigarettes on the Lung [Internet]. American Lung Association; 2023.
