Does smoking cannabis harm the lungs?

Yes, smoking cannabis puts strain on the airways. According to drugcom, the substances in cannabis smoke damage the cilia in the airways. According to drugcom, it is not yet clearly proven whether smoking cannabis alone leads to more respiratory diseases. The cilia are fine hairs that carry mucus and foreign particles out of the airways. The sources name inflammation of the airways, shortness of breath, chronic cough and bronchitis as risks. There is still no final conclusion on the lung cancer risk from cannabis alone.

What cannabis smoke does to the airways

The airways are built to conduct air and at the same time clean it. The cilia are an important part of that work. According to drugcom, the substances in cannabis smoke damage exactly these hairs. The sources see this as part of the strain on the airways.

In daily life, watch for persistent cough, phlegm or breathlessness, and have such symptoms checked by a doctor.

Which symptoms the sources name

• Inflammation of the airways
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic cough
• Bronchitis

The Swiss specialist agency infodrog names exactly these symptoms as risks of smoking cannabis. In addition, the BIÖG points to indications that the risk of lung damage, such as chronic airway complaints, cough and breathlessness, is higher.

Lung cancer: what remains open

According to drugcom, there is still no final conclusion on the link between lung cancer and cannabis use alone. Research cannot yet give a secure answer on this point. The BIÖG writes that tobacco mixed into joints increases the risk of later developing lung cancer.

Anyone with an open question about their lungs should not answer it with guesses. A doctor can examine the airways and tell you what to watch for in your case.

Mixed use with tobacco makes the picture worse

Anyone who mixes cannabis with tobacco adds further strain to the airways. Infodrog writes that the same risks then apply as for tobacco use alone. The DHS names a higher risk of impaired lung function and cancer, including with hookahs and bongs. Feel-ok adds a higher risk of becoming dependent on nicotine. The article on mixed use with tobacco explains the comparison in detail.

Why occasional use still matters

According to drugcom, all inhaled foreign substances strain the airways in principle, and cannabis smoke contains about the same amount of tar as tobacco smoke. Water pipes do not reduce this risk, because according to drugcom they only cool the smoke. A longitudinal study points out, however, that a limitation of lung capacity is hardly to be expected even after many years of cannabis smoking, whereas with tobacco smoking it is. The article on occasional use looks at rare consumption in more depth.

Take warning signs seriously

A cough that persists for weeks, breathlessness that was not there before, or a change in phlegm should be seen by a doctor. This text does not replace an examination. A doctor can check whether the complaints are related to smoking or have other causes, and tell you which examinations make sense.

Be open with your doctor about your use, so that any findings can be put in context.

What prevention means for the lungs

Less smoke means less strain on the airways. Anyone who cuts down or pauses their use does not expose the airways to that strain again during the break.

The ban on consumption in the presence of minors (§ 5 para. 1 KCanG) also applies at home. The article on using cannabis at home with children explains what this looks like in everyday life.

What may change after a break

Anyone who pauses their use can observe how cough and breathlessness develop in everyday life. Note when complaints occur, for example during exertion or in the morning after getting up.

This can make a conversation with a doctor easier. A doctor can assess whether anything improves as a result.

What you can do for your lungs

• Use less, because every puff strains the airways.
• Avoid mixing in tobacco, because the risks of tobacco are then added.
• Have persistent cough, phlegm or breathlessness checked by a doctor.
• If stopping is hard for you, use counselling: find addiction counselling near you.

For confidential advice, you can reach the Sucht & Drogen Hotline on 01806 313031 (calls are charged, open daily 8 a.m. to midnight). More on prevention and youth protection can be found under Prevention and youth protection. Counselling does not replace a medical examination.