Lung health in Canadians who use vaping devices
The Canadian Lung Outcomes in Users of Vaping Devices (CLOUD) Study
This project will test new breathing tests, scans, and exercise measures to see if vaping harms the lungs of Canadian adolescents and adults.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 12 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of British Columbia Academic / other |
| Locations | 8 sites (Edmonton, Alberta and 7 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06819969 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The CLOUD program is a pan-Canadian, multicentre, longitudinal effort that applies advanced imaging, novel pulmonary function tests, dynamic exercise testing, and airway cell sequencing to characterize vaping-related lung changes. It enrolls adolescents (12–18) and adults (19+) across user groups including never-users, exclusive e-cigarette users, exclusive cigarette smokers, and dual users. Participants undergo baseline and follow-up physiologic testing, imaging, exercise testing, and specimen collection to look specifically for small-airway injury. The study aims to define early signs of lung damage from vaping and improve detection across the lifespan.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Canadians who can attend a participating center and are either age 12–18 and never-smokers or exclusive e-cigarette users, or age 19+ and in one of four groups: never-users, exclusive cigarette smokers, exclusive e-cigarette users, or current dual users.
Not a fit: People with physician-diagnosed chronic lung disease, recent combustible cannabis use, recent cigarette smoking in adolescents, or those unable to complete pulmonary function and exercise testing may be excluded or are unlikely to gain direct benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could identify early lung damage from vaping and give vapers and clinicians clearer information about risks and earlier detection.
How similar studies have performed: Prior case reports and smaller studies have linked vaping to lung injury, but comprehensive multicentre longitudinal phenotyping of small-airway disease using this combination of techniques is largely novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Adolescent arm: * Aged ≥12 and \<19 years old * Either 1) use neither combustible cigarettes nor e-cigarettes or 2) use e-cigarettes exclusively Adult arm: * Aged ≥19 years old * Fall into one of the following categories: 1) use neither combustible cigarettes nor e-cigarettes; 2) use combustible cigarettes exclusively, never using e-cigarettes; 3) use e-cigarettes exclusively, never using combustible cigarettes; or 4) use both combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes currently Exclusion Criteria: Adolescent arm: * Contraindication to pulmonary function testing and cardiopulmonary exercise testing * Have smoked combustible cannabis within the last month and/or have a combustible cannabis smoking history of \>1 joint-year * Have smoked combustible cigarettes within the last 6 months * Have a physician-diagnosed chronic lung disease (such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia) * Inability to provide written informed consent Adult arm: * Contraindication to pulmonary function testing and cardiopulmonary exercise testing * Have smoked combustible cannabis within the last month and/or have a combustible cannabis smoking history of \>1 joint-year * Currently undergoing treatment for lung cancer * Inability to provide written informed consent No limitations will be placed on the type of e-liquids used by participants; e.g., e-cigarette users of nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabidiol will be all enrolled.
Where this trial is running
Edmonton, Alberta and 7 other locations
- University of Alberta (Clinical Sciences Building) — Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Recruiting)
- BC Cancer Agency — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Recruiting)
- BC Children's Hospital Research Institute — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Recruiting)
- St. Paul's Hospital — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Recruiting)
- McMaster University (Research Institute of St. Joe's Hamilton) — Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (Not_yet_recruiting)
- University of Ottawa (The Ottawa Hospital General Campus) — Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Recruiting)
- University of Toronto (The Hospital for Sick Children) — Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Université de Sherbrooke — Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Janice Leung, MD — University of British Columbia
- Study coordinator: Janice Leung, MD
- Email: janice.leung@hli.ubc.ca
- Phone: 604-836-0423
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.