Young, healthy adults who try vaping for the first time may experience an immediate reaction that can harm cells and lay the groundwork for disease, according to a new study.
Just 30 minutes of vaping can increase oxidative stress, which occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals (molecules that damage cells) and antioxidants that fight them, researchers said.
“Just like there is no safe level of tobacco cigarette smoking, there is no safe level of electronic cigarette vaping — vapes are not harmless, and nonsmokers should not use them,” said lead researcher Dr. Holly Middlekauff.
“Many young people — up to 20% to 30% of high school students — have vaped in the last month, thinking that vapes are harmless,” she said. “This misperception is fueled by the dessert flavors and the cool dispensing devices that characterize vapes.”
But this new research shows that even one vaping session can cause detectable adverse effects on the body, Middlekauff said.
Although participants in this study were young adults, Middlekauff suspects that results in teenagers would be the same.
“Over time, recurrent increases in oxidative stress may take their toll, increasing risk of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, cancer and accelerated aging,” she said.
