Breathing More Than Vape Smoke: Study Finds Mouthpieces Teeming with Lung-Damaging Fungi

For many South African vapers, that sweet cloud might come with an unexpected and unwelcome passenger: fungi linked to lung disease.

A new US-based study from the University of Florida has revealed that vape mouthpieces aren’t just flavour conduits, they may be home to fungi capable of causing serious breathing problems. The research, titled Mycobiome Analysis of Electronic Cigarettes Reveals a Reservoir of Pathogenic Yeasts, was recently published on the pre-print server bioRxiv.

The hidden hitchhikers on your vape

Researchers examined 25 e-cigarette users, most of whom vaped daily using disposable devices that had never been cleaned. Around one-third already reported respiratory symptoms. When the team swabbed the mouthpieces and tested samples from the users’ mouths, they found that while bacteria were present in some cases, the real surprise was the abundance of fungi species not normally found in the human mouth.

These included Rhodotorula, Aureobasidium, Cystobasidium, and Meyerozyma. One particular yeast, Cystobasidium minutum, appeared most often and became the main focus of the study.

From mouthpiece to mouse lungs

To test its effects, scientists introduced Cystobasidium minutum into the lungs of mice. The results were unsettling: excess mucus production, laboured breathing, airway inflammation, and symptoms similar to chronic bronchitis. Under the microscope, researchers saw mucus buildup, structural changes to the airways, and a surge in goblet cells—known for producing mucus.

Even though the fungus didn’t linger long in every mouse’s lungs, its impact was enough to raise red flags about the health implications for regular vapers.

Why this matters for South Africa

While the study was conducted in the US, vaping has exploded in popularity across South Africa, particularly among young adults. From Cape Town’s hipster coffee shop scenes to Joburg’s nightlife, colourful vape pens are now a common accessory. Many South Africans also favour disposable vapes, the very type tested in the study, which are rarely, if ever, cleaned.

The concern is that this trend could silently be contributing to a rise in chronic respiratory problems, especially in communities where vaping is seen as a “safer” alternative to smoking.

Public reaction

On social media, the study has triggered heated debates. Some vapers dismiss it as “fear-mongering,” pointing out that fungi are everywhere. Others say it’s a wake-up call, with one Twitter user quipping, “We’re literally paying to inhale mushroom farms now.”

This study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that vaping is not without risk, particularly when it comes to unseen contaminants. While it’s easy to focus on nicotine or flavour chemicals, the reality is that your vape could be a tiny petri dish in your pocket.

If you’re not ready to ditch your vape entirely, experts suggest at least switching to devices with replaceable, cleanable mouthpieces and making hygiene a priority. Because as this research shows, it’s not just what’s in the vape juice that matters, it’s what’s living on the plastic.

{Source: IOL}

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