Dr Bryan Betty: A new study reveals first long-term consequences of vaping

Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

There’s been a lot of discussion and concerns about the long-term effects of vaping of late, especially regarding young people. New research has started to uncover potential long-term problems with vaping.

What is the problem with vaping?

• It was introduced as a “quit smoking” tool and was accepted to be less harmful than smoking.
• Useful as a quit smoking tool, as a substitute for cigarettes .
• However, the growing issue in NZ is young people taking up vaping who would otherwise not smoke.
• Surveys indicate that 26.5% of 18–24-year-olds and 10% of 14–18-year-olds vape daily.
• Concerns if there would be long-term effects on these young people.

Is it addictive?

• Many vapes have nicotine which is highly addictive.
• Increasing reports of people not being able to get off vapes.
• We know nicotine can cause concerns over brain development, increased risk of anxiety, raise blood pressure, and increased heartrates.
• Vapes can irritate the lungs, causing coughs and even some concerns over increased risk of collapsed lungs.

A new study has started to shed light

• A new study out of Oxford University has identified long term harm from vaping alone.
• It followed nearly 250,000 individuals who vaped, over four years.
• Major finding: vapers are 2.29 times more likely to develop Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease – COPD.
• COPD is often referred to as emphysema: lungs stiffen, lots of mucous, recurrent infections, and reduced ability to get oxygen into the blood stream due to lung damage. Permanent damage.
• Among 30-70-year-olds, they’re 1.39 times more likely to have high blood pressure.

Implications of this?

• Obviously, it’s an issue for the number of young teenagers taking up vaping and an emerging health issue overall.
• We need to think hard about our approach to vaping – Australia has made vaping prescription only.
• Restrictions have been put in place in New Zealand.

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