04/12/2025
Va**rs were not only more likely to smoke later in life, but they were also more likely to smoke more frequently and intensely, according to experts from the University of York and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
The researchers analysed 56 reviews on 384 studies on youth va**ng in an umbrella review, with some 21 of these reviews looking at the use of e-cigarettes in young people and later cigarette smoking.
The largest global review on va**ng in young people also discovered that there is an increased risk of respiratory illnesses, like asthma or asthma exacerbation, and substance abuse, including drinking and ma*****na use.
The study also suggested there are links between youth va**ng and pneumonia, bronchitis, lower total s***m counts, dizziness, headaches, and migraines.
A link between depression and suicidal thoughts among young va**rs was also identified.
The data available “consistently indicated a significant association between e-cigarette use and later cigarette smoking in young people”, the researchers wrote in the journal To***co Control.
The authors said it was difficult to “infer causality” from their review, but said the “repeated strong associations in prospective cohort studies are consistent with a causal relationship”.
“The consistency in the evidence is striking,” Dr Su Golder, associate professor in health science at the University of York, said.
“Across multiple studies, young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke in the future. These findings support stronger public health measures to protect teens from the risks associated with va**ng.”
Dr Greg Hartwell, clinical assistant professor at LSHTM said the review showed “exactly why further restrictions on the to***co industry [...] are so important”.
Article and information courtesy of MSN https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/landmark-study-links-children-va**ng-to-host-of-health-issues/ar-AA1KPJAo
