News | Tuesday, 3rd October 2023

New study will explore long-term health impacts of vaping

Researchers will compare the vascular health of vapers, smokers and non-smokers

The long-term health impacts of smoking electronic cigarettes are to be investigated in a new study led by researchers from the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport.

Electronic cigarettes – commonly referred to as e-cigarettes or vapes – have become increasingly popular in the last decade due to their reputation as being a healthier alternative to a traditional cigarette.

However, due to them being relatively new on the market, very little research has been done on the long-term impacts vaping has on health.

Researchers believe that although vaping is likely to be better for an individual than smoking cigarettes, using them on a regular basis will still have significant impacts.

We should heed the lessons from the mistakes made in the 1980s regarding traditional cigarettes and avoid repeating similar errors with e-cigarettes.

To test this theory, a new study will compare the cardiovascular health of vapers, smokers and those who do neither, to assess the health impacts caused by the vice.

Dr Maxime Boidin, Senior Lecturer in Cardiac Rehabilitation at the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, said: "The study will look at the chronic and acute effects of using a vape on vascular health.

"We know already the long-term impact of smoking behaviour on cardiovascular health but for e-cigarettes it is not the case yet.

"From discussions with clinical experts, they have mentioned already they have seen some symptoms like coughing, chest pain or lung dysfunction.

"So, we can see the early markers of this dysfunction of using a vape at the moment."

For the study, the vascular function of 20 vapers, 20 cigarette smokers, and a control group of 20 individuals who do not smoke anything at all, will be assessed.

To do this, researchers will measure the quality of the blood vessels in both the participant’s arm and neck.

Specifically, they’ll be measuring the elasticity of the blood vessels, as high elasticity is a good indication of vascular health.

Previous research has already shown that elasticity in smokers is worse than non-smokers, with researchers believing vapers will suffer in a similar way.

In order to measure elasticity, the participant’s hand will be submerged into ice water, which will cause the blood vessel to react.

Participants will also take part in a fitness test, where Cerebral Blood Flow – which is the speed of blood flow in the brain – and their ability to take on oxygen, will also be measured.

To ensure the long-term impacts of vaping and smoking is being assessed, all participants will be tested in a fasted state, having had no food, caffeine, cigarettes or vapes that day.

All participants will also be assessed on their lifestyle and activity levels before joining the study. This is to ensure that results reflect only whether health is impacted by vaping, and not an individual’s fitness levels, which can also affect cardiovascular health.

This is the first study of its kind to consider other factors that could also impact vascular health, outside of smoking or vaping.

The final stage of testing will see the smoking group and the vaping group take part in an additional fitness test, 30 minutes after being given a cigarette or a vape, which will allow researchers to see some of the immediate impacts on health as well.

From discussions with clinical experts, they have mentioned already they have seen some symptoms like coughing, chest pain or lung dysfunction.

The study has been launched at a time when calls for more research into the long-term impacts of vaping has intensified.

Growing concern over the popularity of vapes amongst young people has raised alarms of the health impacts, with some countries even taking measures to limit the availability of disposable vapes, which make up the majority of vape sales in young people.

Dr Boidin added: “Although our research won’t be published for around 18-months, we hope that our findings will help to inform guidelines and regulations on the sale of e-cigarettes in the future.

“We also hope to help the general population better understand what they are putting in their bodies and any potential risks that come with that.

“We should heed the lessons from the mistakes made in the 1980s regarding traditional cigarettes and avoid repeating similar errors with e-cigarettes.”

If you are a smoker or a vaper, and would like to be involved in the study, please contact M.Boidin@mmu.ac.uk for more information.