In a study conducted by researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University, the long-term effects of vaping have been brought to light. The world's first study of its kind, which began in 2023, is set to conclude in March 2025, and the preliminary findings are causing concern among health experts and the public alike.
Study Author Believes Vaping is More Harmful than Smoking
Dr. Maxime Boidin, the lead author of the study, initially believed that vaping was a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. However, as the study progressed, his perspective changed dramatically. "What we have found is the dangers for someone who keeps vaping are no different from smokers," Dr. Boidin stated.
The study involved participants aged 18 to 45 with similar fitness levels who underwent regular stress tests to measure the elasticity of their blood vessels and the speed of blood flow to their brains. The results showed that both smokers and vapers had damaged artery walls, putting them at risk of severe cardiovascular problems in the future.
Continuous Vaping: A Hidden Danger
One of the key findings of the study is that vaping can be more dangerous than smoking due to the ease of continuous use. "Smokers tend to go outside and smoke, and once a cigarette is finished they have to light up another to keep going. But with vapes, you just keep going and it's much harder to know how many puffs you've had," Dr. Boidin explained.
The combination of nicotine, metals, and chemicals found in vapes, such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, is believed to cause inflammation and damage to the body. "When you put this mixture of metals and chemicals into your body you can't expect nothing to happen," Dr. Boidin warned.
NHS Stance on Vaping: A Contrasting View
While the study's findings are alarming, the NHS currently maintains that "nicotine vaping is not risk-free, but it is less harmful than smoking." This stance is based on 2022 findings from UK experts who concluded that in the short and medium-term, vaping poses a small fraction of the risks associated with smoking.
As the study nears its conclusion, the public eagerly awaits the official release of the results. The findings could have significant implications for public health policies and the regulation of vaping products.
