Study finds vaping is a gateway to cigarettes and marijuana
A landmark study published this week has found a consistent link between vaping and cigarette smoking later in life, as well being associated with a host of health issues.
The study found that young people who vape are three times more likely to start smoking than those who do not use e-cigarettes, and those who currently or previously vaped are more likely to use marijuana and alcohol.
Young people who vape are also significantly more likely to develop or exacerbate respiratory health problems such as asthma, the study found. Smoking e-cigarettes was also associated with poor mental health, with young people who vape more likely to present with depression.
The data showed strong links between vaping and asthma, coughing, and airway irritation, with researchers highlighting the associated risk of mental health issues which may be related to nicotine dependence during adolescence.
According to the study, young people who smoke e-cigarettes report signs of nicotine dependence, including cravings and difficulty quitting. However, few studies have examined the effect of nicotine on the adolescent brain, despite heavy concerns.
“Our previous reviews have shown that commonly used marketing strategies for e-cigarettes on social media networks resulted in more young people vaping, and this new review looks at what happens when vaping is a regular practice,” said Su Golder, Associate Professor in Health Science at the University of York and one of the authors of the study.
“The consistency in the evidence is striking. Across multiple studies, young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke in the future. These findings support stronger public health measures to protect teens from the risks associated with vaping.”
The study argued that more research was needed to determine whether there is a direct cause and effect, but added that the consistency of the findings provided a strong case for the government to intervene and restrict access to e-cigarettes for young people.
“Our review provides the most comprehensive picture to date on the range of risks vaping poses to young people,” said Dr Greg Hartwell, study author and Clinical Assistant Professor at the London School of Hygiene Tropical Medicine.
“In particular, we found consistent evidence around transitions to smoking which of course, in turn, opens the door to the multitude of harms that conventional cigarettes bring.”
Researchers reiterated the need for further investigation into the harms associated with vaping, and cited the evidence of this review as sufficient to warrant consideration by the government for restricting the availability of e-cigarettes to young people in the UK.
