Vaping is often considered to be a safer alternative to smoking. But that does not mean it is without risks.
In a new study, published in the Journal of Public Health, nearly 4 in 5 e-cigarette users reported experiencing adverse health outcomes within six hours of vaping. The results raise serious concerns about the health impacts associated with these devices.
In 2021, 4.5 percent of U.S. adults used e-cigarettes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, this number is much higher among younger people, with 10 percent of U.S. high school students using e-cigarettes within the past 30 days in 2023.
Previous studies have associated e-cigarette use with the potential risk of lung disease, asthma, damaged blood vessels and heart disease, particularly among those with preexisting health conditions. However, there is still a lack of clear information on the full spectrum of e-cigarettes' potential adverse health impacts.
In the latest study, researchers from the University of California, the San Diego Supercomputer Center and California State University surveyed a sample of 4,695 current and former e-cigarette users with a median age of 34. The survey collected data on e-cigarette use, adverse health experiences, product characteristics, sociodemographic factors and the presence of medical co-morbidities.
In total, 78.9 percent of respondents reported experiencing some sort of adverse health event within six hours of using the vaping device, with headaches, anxiety and coughing the most commonly reported effects. Roughly 1 in 8 reported heart palpitations, while 1 in 5 reported a significantly higher heart rate.
Hispanic respondents reported higher rates of adverse effects, as did those with at least college-level education.
However, because of the nature of the study, we do not know for sure that the e-cigarettes themselves were causing these effects. The authors said more work is needed in this area to determine the mechanisms underpinning this association. Even so, the study is an important look at the potential side implications of vaping.
"Health professionals should be aware of these potential adverse events when assessing patient symptomology and should counsel patients who use e-cigarettes to consider cessation or reduction of e-cigarettes," the authors write.
"Additional research should be conducted to serve as the basis for the adoption of regulatory guidelines that discourage or prohibit use of products with characteristics that increase risk for adverse events," they said.
Is there a health problem that's worrying you? Do you have a question about vaping? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Pandora Dewan is a Senior Science Reporter at Newsweek based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on science, health ... Read more
