What are the health risks associated with vaping?

Introduction

Vaping, the act of inhaling vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device, has become increasingly popular, particularly among young adults. While it is often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, emerging research highlights several health risks associated with vaping. This synthesis aims to present the key health risks identified in recent studies.

Key Insights

Respiratory Health Risks
- Vaping is associated with increased respiratory-related emergency department visits, particularly in individuals with pre-existing lung conditions.
- Vaping can cause structural and functional impairment of the lungs, including increased tissue density, cellular infiltrates, and bronchial thickening.
- Exposure to vaping products has been linked to acute lung injury, especially when using THC-containing products.
Cardiovascular Health Risks
- Vaping has been shown to adversely affect cardiovascular health, including increased blood pressure, tachycardia, and arterial stiffness.
- There is an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events such as atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction among vapers.
Behavioral and Mental Health Risks
- Vaping is associated with high-risk behaviors, including heavy alcohol use and binge drinking.
- Individuals with mental health conditions such as depression and alcohol problems are more likely to vape.
Youth and Adolescent Risks
- Youth vaping is linked to increased risk for tobacco and other substance use, mental health problems, and unintentional injuries.
- Cannabis vaping among youth is associated with acute lung injury and exposure to high-potency cannabis forms, posing both acute and long-term health risks.
Secondhand Exposure Risks
- Bystanders exposed to vaping can experience respiratory tract irritation and systemic effects of nicotine, including palpitations and increased blood pressure.
General Health Risks
- Vaping is not associated with significant elevations in risky health behaviors such as poor diet, poor sleep quality, and low levels of exercise among youth.
- Despite the perceived lower risk, vaping still poses significant health risks and should not be considered a safe alternative to smoking .

Conclusion

The health risks associated with vaping are multifaceted, affecting respiratory, cardiovascular, and mental health. Vaping can lead to serious respiratory issues, including increased emergency department visits and structural lung damage. It also poses cardiovascular risks such as increased blood pressure and risk of heart events. Behavioral and mental health risks are notable, with associations to high-risk behaviors and mental health conditions. Youth are particularly vulnerable, facing increased risks for substance use and mental health issues. Additionally, secondhand exposure to vaping can harm bystanders. Overall, while vaping may be perceived as a safer alternative to smoking, it carries significant health risks that warrant caution and further research.

What are the health risks associated with vaping?

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Cannabis vaping among adults in the United States: Prevalence, trends, and association with high-risk behaviors and adverse respiratory conditions.

Cannabis vaping has increased in prevalence, particularly among young adults, and is associated with high-risk behaviors, but no association was found with asthma or other respiratory symptoms.

Do youth who vape exhibit risky health lifestyles? Monitoring the future, 2017.

Vaping nicotine or marijuana does not significantly increase risky health behaviors like poor diet, poor sleep quality, and low exercise levels, while traditional smoking and marijuana use are significantly associated with these outcomes.

Vaping Cardiovascular Health Risks: an Updated Umbrella Review

EVC and HNBC may increase cardiovascular risk, but may represent a temporary lesser evil than traditional cigarettes in a risk-reduction strategy aiming for eventual abstinence from tobacco or nicotine products.

Fundamentals of vaping-associated pulmonary injury leading to severe respiratory distress

Vaping-induced pulmonary injury in mice leads to pathological structural remodeling and functional impairment of the cardiopulmonary system within 9 weeks of exposure, highlighting potential health risks and mechanistic insights.

The Health Risks of Electronic Cigarette Use to Bystanders

E-cigarette use can cause respiratory irritation, systemic effects, and increased risk of tumors, with risks depending on ventilation, room dimensions, and vaping behavior.

How Are Self-Reported Physical and Mental Health Conditions Related to Vaping Activities among Smokers and Quitters: Findings from the ITC Four Country Smoking and Vaping Wave 1 Survey

Self-reported health conditions related to smoking, such as depression, alcohol problems, and severe obesity, are associated with increased vaping, but vaping as a quitting strategy is not systematically linked to smoking-related health issues.

Protecting children and adolescents against the risks of vaping.

Youth vaping increases the risk of substance use, mental health problems, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, and unintentional injuries, and should not be used as a smoking cessation tool.

P078: Impact of vaping on lung health and visits to the emergency department: a cross-sectional study

Vaping products increase the occurrence of respiratory-related emergency department visits, particularly in people with pre-existing lung conditions.

Cannabis vaping: Understanding the health risks of a rapidly emerging trend.

Cannabis vaping, while generating fewer toxic emissions than smoking, exposes youth to acute and long-term health risks, and urgent efforts are needed to limit its spread among Canadian youth.

Risk Factors for E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use–Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) Among Adults Who Use E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products — Illinois, July–October 2019

E-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury is associated with exclusive use of THC-containing products, frequent use, and obtaining these products from informal sources.

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