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Australian Study Aims to Determine The Effects of Vaping on Lung Health

A team of researchers at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), are examining how vaping affects lung health of a cohort of e-cigarette users aged between 18 and 35, by testing their lung capacity and exercise ability.

Diane Caruana

December 4, 2020

The most common reasons why people take up vaping are to quit smoking and/or to reduce harm.

Led by researcher Dean Mills, the study will focus on the effect of regular e-cig use in young and healthy adults. Mills said there is a pressing need for further research looking into the risks from vaping. “While the harmful effects of tobacco cigarettes are well-known, there is little evidence and knowledge about the health risks of e-cigarettes because they’re relatively new,” said Dr. Mills.

“The lungs are like a sponge. They soak up any smoke or substance that’s inhaled, which can cause severe long-term damage and affect people for the rest of their lives. This study will help us learn more about how the chemicals inside e-cigarettes interact with the body and lungs, and determine if and how they impact our ability to undertake exercise.”

It has been estimated that in Australia alone there are about 200,000 vapers, most of whom are young adults. The most common reasons why people take up vaping are to quit smoking and/or to reduce harm.

“Lack of evidence of their effectiveness”? Really?

Sadly, a recent article on the USQ website has inaccurately stated that smokers resort to the products “despite a lack of evidence of their effectiveness.” In fact contrary to this claim, there are countless studies indicating the relative safety of the devices and their effectiveness as smoking cessation tools.

Dr. Mills said that this research is especially vital for young people, as use may lead to long-term health problems. “Adults who smoke in their teens can have lungs that never grow to their full potential and never perform at full capacity,” he said.

The researcher pointed out that weakened lungs leave individuals at risk of contracting several respiratory conditions. “This leaves them more susceptible to lung infections, including coughs, colds and even COVID-19. It’s concerning that many young people are breathing into their bodies these chemicals contained in e-cigarettes without knowing the full repercussions and consequences to their lives and livelihoods.”

Call for participants

The study author said that they are looking for regular vapers, aged 18-35, who are otherwise healthy, in order to take part in the research study. Any selected participants must be in the area (Ipswich, Queensland) as they would be required to attend the University’s Ipswich campus for one-hour assessments, including lung function and exercise capacity testing. Interested applicants may contact Dean Mills at dean.mills@usq.edu.au or by phone on phone 3812 6147.