The first ever controlled study examining the long-term effects of vaping has produced some alarming findings.
Initially introduced as an alternative to help smokers quit, vapes have quickly gained popularity, especially among young people attracted by their bright packaging and sweet flavors. This trend has led many non-smokers to start vaping, under the impression that it’s safer than traditional cigarettes.
Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University have conducted what is believed to be the world’s first controlled study to directly compare the long-term impacts of vaping with smoking. The research, led by Dr. Maxime Boidin and taking place at the university’s Institute of Sport, involved participants aged 18 to 45 who shared similar fitness levels.
Participants were required to abstain from vaping, smoking, exercise, and anything except water for 12 hours before the tests. Scientists then examined blood samples, assessed blood vessel elasticity, and measured the speed of blood flow to the brain.
One key metric they analyzed was flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a test that uses ultrasound to measure how blood vessels respond to increased blood flow, indicating artery health. The results were striking: both smokers and vapers showed a “flat reading,” suggesting their arteries had suffered similar damage.
Blood flow results were also poor for both groups, leading Dr. Boidin to suspect that nicotine—present in both vapes and cigarettes—could be the main culprit. Additionally, vapes contain various metals, chemicals, and flavoring agents like propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, which can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially damaging artery walls further.
So, what are the risks? According to the Mayo Clinic, damage to the inner artery walls can attract blood cells and other substances, leading to plaque buildup. Over time, this can narrow arteries, restrict blood flow, or even result in dangerous clots. Dr. Boidin warned that poor blood flow can increase the risk of cognitive decline, including dementia, and preliminary findings indicate that vaping may even impair physical fitness in younger users.
While Dr. Boidin originally believed vaping might be less harmful than smoking, the evidence so far suggests that the risks are remarkably similar. Vapers might even face higher risks since vaping can be done more frequently and often indoors, making it easy to lose track of usage.
In response to these findings, Dr. Boidin recommends that vapes be prescribed only as short-term aids for quitting smoking, rather than widely available consumer products.
However, some industry representatives, such as Dr. Marina Murphy from the UK Vaping Industry Association, have downplayed the study’s results, claiming that millions have used vaping products safely for years and that other research estimates vaping carries only a fraction of the health risks of cigarettes.