08/25/2026
INHALED MA*****NA
Changing perceptions regarding the health risks and
wider-spread permissive legislation have given rise to an
increase in the use of inhaled ma*****na in the general
public. This inhaled use is both by combustible forms
such as joints, pipes, and bongs but also by electronically
generated aerosols from va**ng devices. The smoke from
combustible ma*****na contains respiratory irritants and
other toxic substances similar to those seen in to***co
smoke. Aerosols from va**ng devices also contain
a variety of potentially toxic substances from the
compounds added to the v**e liquid such as propylene
glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and other additives.
Not surprisingly, there is concern over the effect inhaled
ma*****na may have on the airways of patients with
asthma as well as others.
The airways of patients with asthma, as I have
described before, are hyperreactive and prone to rapid
constriction leading to consequences up to and including
emergency room visits and death. Not only is there risk of
exacerbating an underlying asthmatic condition but some
data has suggested that there is a significant association
between inhaled ma*****na use and the development
of asthma.
Recent studies have been examining the use of
combustible ma*****na but also included the use of va**ng
devices, as well, in the frequency of asthma attacks and
between these two groups. Currently, similar harm is seen
in both of these groups i.e., both groups have an increased
occurrence of asthma attacks while using ma*****na and
continued increases in attacks after discontinuation of
their ma*****na habit.
