Concerns Over Rising Vaping Among Children

Doctors are sounding the alarm about increasing vaping rates among children globally. They believe that e-cigarettes could be causing serious, perhaps even irreversible, health issues.

A group of cardiologists, researchers, and health experts expressed deep worry about the detrimental impacts of vaping on thousands of teenagers and young adults. Exposure to toxic substances and carcinogens—some yet unidentified—has raised serious alarms.

Nicotine levels in e-cigarettes can be alarmingly high, leading to a greater risk of addiction and potential harm to the still-developing brains of young users. Health professionals are particularly concerned about the possibility of long-term cardiovascular problems as kids vape in schools and colleges.

At the annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology in Madrid, which is the largest heart conference worldwide, Professor Maja-Lisa Løchen from the University Hospital of North Norway emphasized her fears. She mentioned that millions of children could be facing health issues down the line.

She remarked, “I’m worried that vaping might be causing lasting damage to children’s brains and hearts. Yes, we need to wait for long-term studies, but I have my concerns. It raises blood pressure, increases your heart rate, and stiffens arteries.”

Løchen explained that vaping puts extra stress on kids’ cardiovascular systems, causing their heart rates to rise and blood vessels to constrict. Over time, this can lead to arterial stiffness. Prolonged vaping might result in high blood pressure, paving the way for an irregular heart rhythm, strokes, or even heart attacks.

She referenced research from the New England Journal of Medicine last year, illustrating that vaping could increase stroke risk by nearly a third—32%, to be exact.

Heating the liquids in e-cigarettes not only intensifies the vaping experience but can also release harmful chemicals that penetrate the lungs and bloodstream, subsequently reaching the heart.

Some of the liquids used in e-cigarettes may emit known carcinogens such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde when heated. These substances can potentially damage blood vessels, provoke inflammation, and elevate cardiovascular disease risks.

“There’s an added risk for children compared to adults when it comes to body effects,” Løchen pointed out. “Nicotine and other components in e-cigarettes are exceedingly harmful to developing brains, not only in fetuses but during childhood and even into their 20s. This is something we’re really concerned about.”

When young users attempt to quit vaping, they may suffer from nicotine withdrawal, which can spike heart rates and blood pressure, Løchen noted after her presentation in Madrid.

“It’s well-known that when kids and teens begin vaping, the nicotine could lead to dependence. This often acts as a stepping stone towards smoking. I genuinely believe that children and adolescents entering into vaping now are at an even greater risk of incurring lasting harm to their health.”

Also addressing the gathering in Madrid, Professor Susanna Price, a consultant cardiologist at Royal Brompton Hospital in London and chair of the ESC advocacy committee, remarked that although there is a rise in childhood vaping, it’s uncertain what the long-term cardiovascular risks might be, given the relatively brief history of e-cigarettes.

“There seems to be a narrative suggesting vaping is safe, but we don’t have that certainty. It concerns me that we could be swapping one addictive substance for another that might carry similar cardiovascular risks,” she said.

Dr. Charmaine Griffiths, CEO of the British Heart Foundation, added that “vaping is not without risks, and no child or teenager should be using e-cigarettes.” She called for governments to take steps to combat the rising rates of youth vaping, stating, “Making vaping less enticing for young people and aiming for a smoke-free generation must happen sooner rather than later.”

Long-term health effects of vaping remain largely unclear, as the products are relatively new. It might take years for further ramifications to surface. Meanwhile, Løchen supports a global ban on e-cigarette sales.

“I think given what we currently understand about the adverse effects of e-cigarettes, a worldwide ban on their sales is warranted,” she stated. “They’ve been around for a couple of decades now; we have enough information. They are far from harmless.”