Preliminary findings link long-term vaping to persistent changes in lung function
Long-term vaping in young people may induce persistent changes in lung function, suggest preliminary findings published online in the journal Tobacco Control. Further research is needed, emphasize the researchers. But the cumulative effects might heighten the risk of life-limiting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a hallmark of which is loss of lung function—and specifically, a…
A study published in Tobacco Control suggests that long-term vaping among young people may lead to persistent changes in lung function. Researchers analyzed lung function tests from 22 individuals aged 21-35 who primarily used e-cigarettes at the study's start and again after an average of 12 months. The tests measured forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity, and their ratio.
Results showed a significant decline in FEV1 after adjusting for factors like age, sex, race, and height. Vaping 5-9 times daily was linked to a 100 ml drop in FEV1, while 10-29 times daily resulted in a 190 ml decrease, and 30 or more times daily caused a 240 ml reduction compared to those vaping 0-4 times daily. While the study's small sample and lack of controls limit conclusions, researchers say it provides credible evidence of prolonged e-cigarette exposure's effect on pulmonary function in young adults and its dose-response relation.
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