Vaping Damages Young People’s Lungs as Much as Smoking, Study Suggests

In recent years, vaping has surged in popularity among adults in Britain, especially within the younger demographic. What was once marketed as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco smoking has now become a subject of intense scrutiny. Research conducted by Dr. Azmy Faisal and colleagues at Manchester Metropolitan University indicates that vaping may be just as detrimental to lung health as smoking. This study, which involved a strenuous exercise test comparing vapers and smokers, revealed alarming findings: both groups exhibited reduced fitness levels and experienced breathlessness when compared to non-smokers.

The study meticulously divided participants into three distinct groups: non-smokers, vapers, and smokers. By doing so, the researchers aimed to draw a clear comparison between these categories. The results were startling; both vapers and smokers demonstrated similar levels of peak exercise capacity, which were significantly lower than those of non-smokers. This finding alone challenges the widespread belief that vaping is a healthier alternative to smoking, suggesting that long-term use of e-cigarettes can indeed be harmful.

Further investigations into the lung capacity of the participants provided more evidence of the damaging effects of vaping. Both vapers and smokers showed reduced lung capacity compared to their non-smoking counterparts. Blood tests and ultrasound scans revealed impaired functioning of blood vessels in both vapers and smokers, indicating that the adverse effects of vaping are not limited to the lungs but extend to the cardiovascular system as well. This impairment was accompanied by fatigue and elevated levels of lactate in the blood during exercise, further underscoring the negative impact on physical fitness.

The rise in vaping among British adults is a trend that cannot be ignored. Since 2014, the proportion of adults using vapes has increased from 4.2% to 11%. While many smokers turn to vaping as a means to quit smoking, the growing use of e-cigarettes among young people aged 11 to 17 is particularly concerning. The percentage of young vapers has risen from 1.3% to 7.6%, highlighting a worrying trend that demands immediate attention. Researchers have found evidence that vaping can increase the risk of cancer and damage vital organs, raising questions about the long-term health implications for this younger generation.

One of the most troubling aspects of the rise in vaping is the aggressive marketing tactics employed by e-cigarette companies. Vapes are often marketed to young people through attractive flavors and low prices, making them an appealing choice for teenagers and young adults. This targeted marketing, coupled with the perception of vaping as a safer alternative to smoking, has contributed to the surge in e-cigarette use among the youth. The government has recognized this issue and pledged to crack down on the marketing of vapes to children, alongside efforts to gradually ban smoking.

Doctors and policymakers must remain vigilant and informed about the risks associated with vaping. It is crucial to support initiatives aimed at preventing or quitting vaping, particularly among children and young adults. The findings of this study were presented at the European Respiratory Society’s conference in Vienna, further emphasizing the need for continued research and regulation in this area. As vaping emerges as a growing public health concern, the government has a responsibility to address the associated health risks and take decisive action to protect the population.

The study presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress also highlighted the poor exercise performance among young adults who vape. Conducted by Dr. Azmy Faisal and his team, the research examined the chronic impact of e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes on vascular function, inflammatory markers, and cardiorespiratory responses during exercise. Spirometry results from three groups of 20 young adults—e-cigarette users, tobacco smokers, and never-smokers—revealed that both the e-cigarette and tobacco groups had lower peak exercise capacity, oxygen consumption, and ventilation compared to never-smokers.

Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), a measure of blood vessel health, was significantly lower in both the e-cigarette and tobacco groups. The presence of thrombospondin-1, an inflammatory marker, was associated with this lower FMD, indicating that vaping and smoking both contribute to vascular inflammation. Participants in the e-cigarette and tobacco groups also reported higher levels of breathlessness and leg fatigue during exercise, further demonstrating the negative impact on physical fitness. These differences in exercise performance were significant among those who had been vaping or smoking for at least two years.

The findings of this study contradict the popular belief that vaping is a healthier alternative to smoking. Both smokers and vapers experienced difficulty breathing and muscle fatigue during exercise, suggesting that the adverse effects of vaping on physical fitness are comparable to those of smoking. This revelation underscores the importance of educating young adults about the potential risks of e-cigarette use. The study, conducted in the United Kingdom, adds to the growing body of evidence that vaping can have serious health consequences, particularly for the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Dr. Faisal and his colleagues hope that their research will discourage young adults from using e-cigarettes. The study’s results, presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Vienna, emphasize the need for continued efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of vaping. The researchers concluded that there was no significant difference in the effects of vaping and smoking on exercise performance, challenging the notion that e-cigarettes are a safer option. As the popularity of vaping continues to rise, it is crucial to disseminate accurate information about its potential health risks.

Additional studies have found that vaping is linked to lung inflammation, damage, and changes in blood vessels. While some research suggests that vaping can help reduce or quit smoking, the long-term effects remain uncertain. The study by Dr. Faisal included 60 participants in their 20s with normal lung function, divided into non-smokers, vapers, and smokers. Each participant underwent an incremental exercise test on a stationary bike, considered the gold standard for testing physical ability. The results showed that young vapers had lower peak exercise capacity compared to non-smokers and non-vapers, but similar to smokers.

Both vapers and smokers exhibited lower oxygen consumption during peak exercise compared to non-smokers and non-vapers. Blood tests and ultrasound scans revealed that the blood vessels of smokers and vapers were not functioning as well as those of non-smokers and non-vapers. Vapers and smokers also experienced more difficulty breathing, intense leg fatigue, and higher levels of lactate in their blood, indicating muscle fatigue. These findings highlight the significant difference in physical ability between smokers, vapers, and non-smokers, even in the absence of apparent lung damage.