Study finds vaping is just as harmful as normal smoking

VAPING damages the arteries and blood vessel function much like smoking cigarettes, a study has found.

Researchers studied more than 400 men and women aged between 21 and 45 made up of non-smokers, cigarette smokers, e-cigarette users and people who both smoked and vaped.

The team studied measures of blood vessel function in e-cigarette and dual users who had been using e-cigarettes for at least three months. All e-cigarette users were former cigarette smokers.

The study, published yesterday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, found that former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes and dual users had arteries that were just as stiff as those in traditional smokers.

Author Jessica Fetterman, assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, said that stiffening of the arteries can contribute to heart disease.

She added: “Many people believe ecigarettes are safer than combustible cigarettes. In fact, most e-cigarette users say the primary reason they use them is they think they pose less of a health risk. Meanwhile, the evidence from scientific studies is growing that e-cigarettes might not be the safer alternative when it comes to heart health. Our study adds to that evidence.

“Stiffening of the arteries can cause damage to the small blood vessels, including capillaries, and puts additional stress on the heart, all of which can contribute to heart disease.”

The study was funded through the Tobacco Centre of Regulatory Science of the American Heart Association.

The researchers also found the cells that line the blood vessels – called endothelial cells – appeared to be equally as damaged whether people used ecigarettes, cigarettes or both.

Dr Fetterman added: “The endothelial cells from e-cigarette users or dual users produced less of the heart-protective compound nitric oxide, compared with non-tobacco users.

“Their cells also produced more reactive oxygen species, which cause damage to the parts of cells such as DNA and proteins. Our results suggest there is no evidence the use of e-cigarettes reduces cardiovascular injury, dysfunction or harm associated with combustible tobacco products.”