Researchers at the University of Alberta found that nicotine vapes cause damage to the heart and lungs of young people who have never smoked [1, 2].
This finding challenges the perception that vaping is a harmless alternative to combustible cigarettes, particularly for a generation of users who did not previously smoke. The results suggest that the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems are susceptible to injury even in the absence of a history of tobacco use.
To assess the health impacts of nicotine vaping among young non-smokers, the research team examined cardiovascular and pulmonary function [1, 2]. The study focused on a specific demographic of users to isolate the effects of vaping from other smoking-related variables. The participants in the study were all in their early 20s, the research said [2].
The study indicates that the damage to the heart and lungs occurs in individuals who have no prior history of smoking cigarettes [1, 2]. By analyzing the physiological responses of these young adults, the University of Alberta researchers were able to identify specific markers of impairment in both the respiratory and circulatory systems.
While vaping is often marketed as a tool for smoking cessation, these results highlight the risks for those who start vaping without ever having smoked. The researchers aimed to determine how nicotine delivery systems impact the body's most vital organs during early adulthood [1, 2].
“Nicotine vapes cause damage to the heart and lungs of young people who have never smoked”
This research indicates that the risk of organ damage associated with nicotine vaping is not limited to former smokers. By demonstrating that young adults in their early 20s experience heart and lung impairment despite never smoking, the study suggests that vaping introduces unique or accelerated physiological risks that may necessitate stricter public health regulations for non-smokers.
