Potential Health Risks of Vaping: Research and Reported Cases
Recent studies and individual medical cases have brought attention to potential health risks associated with the use of electronic cigarettes, or vaping. Research indicates possible impacts on cardiovascular and respiratory health, while specific patient accounts describe severe lung injuries and cancer diagnoses reportedly linked to vaping.
Research on Vascular Health
A study conducted by researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University, beginning in 2023, investigated the vascular health of participants who smoke or vape.
The study's findings indicated that both smokers and vapers showed a 'flat reading' in measurements of vascular health and the speed of blood travel to the brain. According to the researchers, this reading signals damaged artery walls that can no longer dilate properly, which may indicate a future risk of severe cardiovascular problems.
Dr. Maxime Boidin, who led the study, stated that the issues from vaping likely stem from inflammation caused by nicotine and other chemicals and metals found in vapes, such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine.
Reported Medical Cases
Medical professionals have documented several severe cases of lung injury reportedly connected to vaping.
Lung Cancer Diagnosis
Kayley Boda, a 22-year-old woman from Manchester, was diagnosed with lung cancer. She reported that her symptoms began a few months after switching from reusable to disposable vapes. After initially being given an all-clear in February, she was later informed the cancer had returned in the pleural lining, and her prognosis was updated to approximately 18 months.
Severe Lung Damage
Kara Mullins, a 49-year-old Arizona resident, experienced a severe medical emergency after contracting the flu in December. Doctors informed her husband that while the flu caused lung inflammation, residue from vaping had made her lungs fragile and susceptible to tearing during breathing expansion. Mullins was placed in a medically induced coma for a week and required a ventilator. She reports permanent lung damage, including scar tissue, and struggles with cognitive issues and maintaining her previous active lifestyle.
Fatal Case
Earlier this year, a medical journal documented a case in New Jersey where a man died from aggressive lung cancer, a case thought by the reporting doctors to be directly caused by e-cigarettes.
Broader Context and Usage
Vaping, which involves inhaling an aerosol typically containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals, has been presented as an alternative to traditional cigarette smoking. Its popularity has increased, including among young people and young adults who had not previously smoked.
- In the UK, recent studies suggest more people vape than smoke.
- In the United States, approximately 6 percent of adults, or about 17 million individuals, report regular vaping, according to 2024 CDC data. Usage rates are highest among adults aged 18 to 24.
A growing body of research indicates potential links between vaping and long-term health issues such as high blood pressure, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aerosol produced by vapes can contain toxic chemicals like formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Inhalation can deliver these substances deep into the lungs, which researchers state has the potential to damage tissue and increase the risk of DNA mutations and inflammation, factors in cancer development.
In the UK, a ban on certain vape products was implemented last year, but reports indicate young people continue to access them. Following her experience, Kara Mullins has ceased vaping and encourages others to avoid the habit.