Vapers are more likely to suffer from asthma, according to a new study.
While vaping is thought to be a safer alternative to smoking, researchers found that teenagers and young adults who use electronic cigarettes are at far greater risk of developing asthma and having asthma attacks than non-vapers.
The Canadian research team set out to determine whether youngsters who are current e-cigarette users were more likely to have suffered an asthma attack within the last 12 months.
A study of more than 17,000 people aged 12 or over found that three per cent reported using e-cigarettes within the previous 30 days. Around half of them also reported smoking cigarettes daily.
One in eight vapers (13 per cent) had asthma and those with asthma had nearly 24 per cent increased odds of having an asthma attack within 12 months.
After making statistical adjustments for other variables, the findings showed that e-cigarette users were 19 per cent more likely to have asthma.
Current smokers were 20 per cent more likely to have asthma, while former smokers had 33 per cent higher odds. Those who never smoked or used e-cigarettes had no significant associations with asthma.
Study leader Professor Teresa To, of The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, said: "Our findings suggest that e-cigarette use is a modifiable risk factor for asthma to be considered in the primary care of youth and young adults.
"To curtail the adverse health effects of vaping we should raise the awareness of the potential harmful health effects of vaping, and develop and implement evidence-based strategies to prevent and reduce e-cigarette use, especially in youth.
"We should also provide means and support to help those who currently vape to quit."
She added: "Interestingly, our study found a significantly higher proportion of those who used e-cigarettes reported fair to poor mental health, 15 per cent, compared to seven per cent of those who did not vape.
"In addition, those who used e-cigarettes had 60 per cent higher odds of self-reported high levels of life stress compared to those who did not.
"While vaping may not cause stress, it appears that vape cravings may be triggered by stress and anxiety, making it harder for the e-cigarette user to quit.
"This may be particularly relevant during the pandemic when stress and anxiety are highly prevalent."
The findings were presented at the American Thoracic Society international conference.
