Vaping Health Effects

Nicotine alters the adolescent brain. Research shows exposure to nicotine during adolescence can make it easier to become addicted and harder to quit. That’s because it can alter a young brain as it grows.

Research shows vaping likely increases risk for:

• • • Worse mental health.
    • Damaged smile.
    • Sleep problems.
    • Impulsivity.
    • Frequent headaches.
    • Mood disorders.
    • Stunted learning and recall.
    • Diminished enjoyment of activities they normally adore.
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Risk: Researchers analyzed medical data from 249,190 adults followed for nearly four years. The data came from the All of Us research program. They demonstrated a significant longitudinal association between exclusive e-cigarette use and COPD. 
• Vaping + smoking together: Researchers have found that sustained “dual use” of smoking and vaping quadrupled risk for lung cancer beyond just smoking. This was according to research results presented at American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.
  • Quitting smoking by changing to only vaping is associated with better resolution of wheezing, but still carries risks, according to a new study by UW-CTRI researchers in Nicotine & Tobacco Research. Extended dual use (without reducing smoking intensity) actually worsened wheezing.
  • The Avenues Study at UW-CTRI is designed to help people nationwide address their dual use at their pace.