New study compares vapers, smokers and non-smokers on several health points

A new warning is being sounded about vaping and lung health. Young people who vape or smoke cigarettes have reduced blood vessel functionality, breathing efficiency and exercise capacity compared to those who have never smoked or vaped, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research. Like tobacco smoking, e-cigarette use was accompanied by detrimental effects on resting vascular function, ventilatory efficiency and cardiorespiratory fitness. Further mechanistic studies are crucial to understand the medium/long-term consequences of e-cigarette use on cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal muscle functions. However, the findings provide critical information to the general community, healthcare providers and regulatory authorities about the potential early risks associated with e-cigarette use, according to the authors. They note that an alarming number of young adults who never smoked are choosing to consume these products. Similar to smoking, vaping was found to lead to harmful changes to the blood vessels, lung efficiency during exercise and approximately a 15% reduction in fitness compared to those who have never smoked or vaped. E-cigarettes are allowed under a legal framework in Canada. They are legal to sell, use and purchase online. Health claims are permitted. E-cigarettes are available in general retail outlets, and they are subject to excise taxes greater than 50%, or an amount equivalent to those levied on traditional cigarettes. According to data from 2024, there were approximately 1.9 million current vapers in Canada in that year, representing an adult current e-cigarette vaping prevalence of 5.9%. The current study included 75 healthy active young adults (18-to-30 years) who were divided into three groups (e-cigarette users, traditional cigarette smokers, never-smoker controls). There were 25 participants in each arm. They completed an incremental cycle exercise test with standard metabolic, cardiorespiratory, blood lactate and sensory measurements. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was assessed using Doppler ultrasound and the researchers collected blood samples to assess vascular inflammatory markers. All participants were closely matched and had normal resting lung function and similar lifestyles. This even included caffeine consumption, alcohol consumption and physical activity levels. The vaping and smoking groups had significantly lower exercise capacity and oxygen uptake by approximately 15% at their peak exercise ability. The researchers found that the lung’s ability to blow out carbon dioxide was diminished and lactic acid built up quicker in vapers and smokers at all levels of exercise compared to the group who had never smoked or vaped. Ultrasound scans and blood samples showed signs of inflammation in the blood vessels. The researchers concluded that there are similar effects of vaping and smoking in young people. The team is now planning to conduct a series of MRI studies to better understand the changes within the heart, lungs and skeletal muscles associated with vaping.

New study compares vapers, smokers and non-smokers on several health points

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