Vaping's impact on kids examined in extensive research study
Strong Evidence Links Youth Vaping to Increased Smoking Risk and Health Problems
A series of large-scale reviews and longitudinal studies have revealed a significant association between vaping among young people and a higher likelihood of later smoking traditional cigarettes, as well as various health issues.
- Gateway to Smoking
Adolescents who take up vaping have shown higher progression rates to conventional cigarette smoking, supporting the gateway hypothesis. This association has been observed across diverse populations and study designs [1][3][4].
- Increased Smoking Intensity
Not only are young people more likely to start smoking, but they are also more likely to smoke more frequently and intensely. The probability of cigarette smoking can be as high as 33% among current youth e-cigarette users, compared to around 1% among non-users [2][5].
- Additional Substance Use
Youth vaping has been linked to increased risks of using other substances, including marijuana (up to a 6-fold increase) and alcohol (4.5 to nearly 7-fold increased risk of binge drinking) [4].
- Respiratory and Other Health Issues
Vaping in youth has been linked to a range of health problems:
- Asthma and asthma exacerbations (20-44% heightened risk) [1][2][4]
- Respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis [2][4]
- Lower total sperm counts, dizziness, headaches, and migraines [2][4]
- Mental health concerns, including depression and suicidal thoughts [2]
- Biological Mechanisms
Aerosolized chemicals and ultrafine particles in e-cigarette vapor can irritate lung tissue, provoke inflammation, and impair lung function, contributing to respiratory difficulties [1].
- Consistency and Causality
Although establishing direct causality is challenging, the repeated strong associations in prospective cohort studies globally are consistent with a causal relationship between youth vaping and subsequent smoking and health harms [1][2][4].
In response to these findings, the UK has implemented a ban on disposable vapes, both with and without nicotine, in June. The ban aims to make vapes less accessible to children. Dr. Greg Hartwell and Dr. Su Golder, researchers involved in the study, emphasized the importance of further restrictions on the tobacco industry to protect young people from the risks associated with vaping.
Jamie Strachan, operations director at vape retailer VPZ, commented on the study, stating that vaping "should never be marketed to, sold to, or used by children and non-smokers."
Despite some claims to the contrary, the accumulated scientific research from leading institutions such as the University of York and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine provides compelling evidence that youth vaping significantly increases the risk of later cigarette smoking, respiratory diseases, and broader physical and mental health issues [1][2][4].
