Researchers have warned that using e-cigarettes may cause lasting damage to the lungs of young people, and may raise the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which makes breathing harder and can be fatal.
اضافة اعلان
A new study by researchers at Florida International University found that young people who use e-cigarettes showed a marked decline in lung function within just 12 months, and the decline was greater among those who use them heavily.
What did the study find?
The researchers tested the lung function of 22 e-cigarette users aged between 21 and 35, by measuring how much air they could forcefully exhale in one second.
When the tests were repeated about a year later, lung performance had clearly declined. Those who used e-cigarettes more frequently showed the greatest decline, although the researchers did not conclude that this link went beyond the bounds of chance.
Why is this worrying?
The study, published in the journal Tobacco Control, is still preliminary. However, the researchers believe it may indicate that the damage caused by vaping can build up over time, increasing the risk of developing COPD later in life.
The disease occurs when the airways are damaged and narrowed, making it harder to exhale air from the lungs. Early symptoms include:
a persistent cough
frequent phlegm
shortness of breath
Symptoms gradually worsen until ordinary daily activities become exhausting.
Although traditional smoking is the most prominent cause, long-term exposure to air pollution or other harmful substances may also contribute to the disease.
Does the danger appear early?
Previous studies suggest that signs of the disease may appear at a younger age than previously thought. A large European study involving around 50,000 people found that up to 8% of adults in their twenties and thirties showed signs of restricted airflow, a key feature of the disease, even among those who had never smoked.
In the new study, the researchers found that the decline in lung function was clearest among those who use e-cigarettes 30 times a day or more.
What do the experts say?
Dr Aran Singanayagam, a respiratory consultant in London, said: "There is growing evidence that vaping may be harmful to the body. If you regularly inhale chemicals, it is clear that this may cause inflammation and potentially lasting damage. Doctors do not have much to treat COPD, so it should be avoided at all costs."
Are e-cigarettes less harmful?
E-cigarettes are seen as less harmful than traditional smoking because they do not produce the tar or carbon monoxide found in tobacco smoke, and they are sometimes used to help smokers quit.
However, experts warn that their vapour may contain harmful chemicals, and that the effects of inhaling it over long periods are still not fully understood.
A review published in August also found a link between early e-cigarette use and later switching to traditional cigarettes. This raises concerns that e-cigarettes could become a gateway to tobacco rather than a replacement for it.
Source: Al-Ghad.
