Vaping Increases Risk of Early-Onset Asthma, Research Suggests

The usage of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is linked to an adult's early development of asthma, according to a recent research published in JAMA Network Open.

Adriana Pérez, Ph.D., from the University of Texas Health Science Centre at Houston, studied the connection between recent ENDS usage and asthma onset age in people without asthma, COPD, or cigarette smoking. From 2013 to 2021, the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study analyzed 24,789 participants.

Experts Urge Users to Quit Vaping

The research indicated that by 27 years old, 6.2 out of 1,000 people had asthma incidence. In the last 30 days, ENDS users showed a 3.52 adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence range, 1.24 to 10.02) and had a higher risk of asthma start than non-users.

There was no significant connection between youth e-cigarette users and the same era (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.79; 95% confidence range, 0.67 to 4.77), possibly due to inadequate statistical power.

According to a report from HealthDay, the researchers noted that the findings indicate the importance of "prevention and cessation programs" focusing on adult ENDS users in educating the public and encouraging them to stop the habit.

In a separate study, Irish researchers found that flavored vaping devices may release over 100 hazardous compounds that are harmful when inhaled.

The experts used artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze how 180 vape flavor compounds change and impact the body when heated, as vaping products create an aerosol by heating substances to high temperatures, as reported by Global News.

According to the study, e-liquid ingredients are commonly obtained from food and cosmetics but are not designed for vaping. According to Health Canada, these mixes most often use vegetable glycerin.

The study found that high temperatures and the inhalation of these compounds generate "unknown secondary chemical entities." Using an AI technique, the researchers discovered 127 acute poisons, 153 health hazards, and 225 irritants in vaping goods. Even one dosage of acute toxins causes rapid side effects.

Serious Health Hazards of Vaping

The study's author, Donal O'Shea, noted the disturbing number of "health hazard chemicals" vapers ingest. The expert warned that inhaling large amounts of dangerous substances could result in "immediate serious injury."

Other research has indicated that flavored vaping products include harmful substances. Between 2017 and 2019, Health Canada found 22 contaminants in Canadian vaping products.

Vaping may also increase the risk of lead, uranium, and cadmium exposure, which can affect young people, according to U.S. research published in April.

The recent case of a Tennessee woman reported by Daily Mail demonstrates the dangerous effects of e-cigarettes. Hannah Roth, from Newport, Tennessee, thought something was not right when she heard a 'popping' sound while inhaling after four years of regular vaping.

Roth, who had never smoked, vaped to relieve stress during the pandemic lockdown. She started vaping "every hour of the day." The 30-year-old sought medical assistance last month after developing a 104°F (40°C) fever and a 'popping' sound. Doctors determined that vaping caused her pneumonia.

Roth was appalled when scans showed her lungs resembled those of an 80-year-old or long-term smoker. The receptionist stated that her doctor threw away her menthol vape, saying it was too dangerous to keep using.

The mother of two kids said that her doctor warned her that if she continued vaping, she "wouldn't be able to breathe," which "scared" her.

According to health experts, oily chemicals in e-liquid vapes can inflame the lungs, causing pneumonia.