Vaping is just as harmful as smoking tobacco when it comes to the health of young people, according to latest research.
Carried out by researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University, the study compared vapers and smokers in an exercise test.
The team found similar results in both groups, both participants being less fit and more out of breath than people who do not vape or smoke.
Presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria, the study asked 60 people in their 20s to have their lung capacity recorded while using a static exercise bike.
Of the 60 participants, 20 had used vapes for at least two years, 20 had smoked for at least two years and the remaining 20 were non-smokers.
Researchers analysed the heart, lungs and muscle responses of participants at more challenging levels until they reached their maximum. They were also given blood tests and an ultrasound scan to analyse how well their arteries were functioning.
Both vapers and smokers showed signs that their blood vessels were not working as well as the non-smoking and non-vaping group, according to the blood tests and ultrasound scans. Both the smoking and vaping group were more out of breath, experienced intense leg fatigue and had higher levels of lactate in their blood.
Long-term impact of vaping
Co author Dr Azmy Faisal is a senior lecturer in cardiorespiratory physiology in the department of sport and exercise sciences at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. He said: ‘Previous research has shown that vaping is linked to lung inflammation and damage, and harmful changes to the blood vessels.
‘Although some research suggests that vaping could be used to cut back or quit smoking, we don’t yet know what longer-term vaping use does to our bodies.’
This comes as a new study found that secondary school students diagnosed with mental health issues such as depression are twice as likely to have vaped.
Conducted as part of the OurFutures vaping prevention program led by the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre, more than 5,000 students aged 12 to 14 took part in the study.
Researchers found that almost one in 10 (8.3%) reported having use e-cigarettes before. The Matilda Centre previously found the average age a teenager begins to vape is 14.
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