Vaping Health Effects
The Vape Check study is designed to set the record straight on vaping, whether the effects of vaping are positive, negative, or neutral. For more on this study, click here.
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:
- Associated with inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Youth data show increased bronchitis, pneumonia, and cough.
- 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.
Other Research on Vaping
- Trends: Youth who vape now are more addicted than youth who vaped in the past
- Other drugs: Vaping devices can also be used for the delivery of other drugs, such as cannabis, meth, or kratom.
For parents, schools and caregivers
- Parents:
- How to Talk to Teens about Vaping, April 9, 2024
- Vaping Evolved: What Parents Need to Know, November 17, 2021
- Schools: Find resources to ensure tobacco-free schools here.
- Gateway: A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found youth who vaped were nearly 4 times more likely to smoke.
- Pollution: The TRUTH Campaign highlighted the environmental risks of vaping.