It is British researchers who have reviewed existing studies on vaping among young people. And there are no positive conclusions that show up. Vaping is linked, according to the study, to an increased likelihood of starting to smoke regular cigarettes, but also to an increased risk of using other drugs and getting health problems such as asthma.
More and more young people are vaping
According to the research review, which has been published in Tobacco Control, the likelihood that young people who have vaped will start smoking is three times greater than among young people who have not vaped. The studies included in the review focused on people under 25 years.
Su Golder, researcher in health sciences at York University and one of the authors of the review study, says in a press comment that previous studies have shown that more and more young people are vaping.
"The results are consistent. In most studies, it appears that young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to start smoking cigarettes than others."
Risk of asthma
In several of the studies, the researchers also saw a connection between vaping and an increased risk of asthma, coughing and other respiratory problems. Additionally, it was also more common for people who had vaped to then start using alcohol and marijuana than others.
In total, 14 countries were included in the research review and the studies were conducted between 2016 and 2024.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called the increase in the proportion of children and young people who vape in the world "alarming". They have also expressed concern about the aggressive marketing that companies behind e-cigarettes direct at young people. According to the researchers behind the study, it is between 5.5 and 41 percent of all 15-16 year olds in Europe who vape.
