E-Cigarettes Linked to Increased Risk of Stroke, Worries of "Vaping Epidemic" Spark Concern Among Young People

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Vaping, touted as a safer alternative to smoking, has been revealed to increase the risk of stroke by a third, sparking concerns of a "vaping epidemic" among young people. A cardiologist at the University Hospital of North Norway, Prof Maja-Lisa Løchen, presented evidence at the European Society of Cardiology's annual conference in Madrid, warning that e-cigarettes could cause irreversible harm to children's brains and hearts.

Key Takeaways:

  • E-cigarettes contain 133 potentially harmful chemicals, including 107 known carcinogens, according to Prof Løchen's presentation.
  • A meta-analysis of existing research by the University of California found that vaping increased the risk of stroke by 32%, cardiovascular disease by 24%, asthma by 24%, COPD by 46%, and mouth diseases by 47%.
  • Comparatively, smoking heightened the risk of stroke by 64%, doubled the risk of cardiovascular disease, increased asthma risk by 56%, tripled the risk of COPD, and raised oral disease risk by 69%.
  • The NHS continues to promote e-cigarettes as a cessation aid, but concerns exist regarding youngsters who have never smoked beginning to vape.
  • A review of over 200 studies by University College London revealed that vaping rates amongst adults climbed from 8.9% to 13.5% between January 2022 and January 2024, while rates amongst young adults soared from 17% to 26.5%.
  • Prof Løchen is urging for a ban on e-cigarette sales due to emerging risks, particularly to young vapers.
  • The European Society of Cardiology's Advocacy Committee chair, Professor Susanna Price, expressed concern that vaping is being dressed up as a way to get people off smoking, when in fact it may be mere substitution.

Statistics:

  • 133: Number of potentially harmful chemicals in e-cigarettes, including 107 known carcinogens.
  • 32%: Increase in stroke risk associated with vaping, according to University of California's meta-analysis.
  • 24%: Increase in cardiovascular disease risk associated with vaping, according to University of California's meta-analysis.
  • 56%: Increase in asthma risk associated with smoking, compared to 24% increase associated with vaping.
  • 46%: Increase in COPD risk associated with vaping, according to University of California's meta-analysis.
  • 15-20 years: The amount of time e-cigarettes have been available on the market, with data showing they are not harmless.

Sources:

  • "European Society of Cardiology's annual conference in Madrid", (2023)
  • "The Mirror", (2023)
  • "New England Journal of Medicine", (2023)
  • "University College London", (2023)
  • "Action on Smoking and Health", (2023)
  • "The Tobacco and Vapes Bill", (2023)
  • "Department of Health and Social Care", (2023)
  • "Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA)", (2023)