Study Reveals Alarming Long-Term Health Risks Of Vaping: Dementia, Heart Disease, Organ Damage

A groundbreaking study from Manchester Metropolitan University has revealed serious long-term health risks linked to vaping — including heart disease, organ failure, and cognitive decline — challenging the common belief that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to smoking.

Led by Dr. Maxime Boidin, the world’s first controlled study on the long-term effects of vaping is due to conclude next month. Preliminary findings, seen exclusively by the Mirror, suggest that vaping may be just as harmful — or even more so — than traditional smoking.

“At the start, I believed vaping was less harmful than smoking. But our data shows the dangers are very similar,” Dr. Boidin said. “Many people will be shocked by what we’ve found.”

Vaping May Pose Greater Risk Due to Constant Use

Unlike cigarettes, which are typically consumed at set intervals, vaping can become a near-constant activity. Dr. Boidin explains that the ease and frequency of vaping makes it harder to monitor or control usage.

“Smokers go outside, finish a cigarette, and then stop. But vapers can puff continuously, often indoors, without realizing how much they've used.”

Damaging Results from Vascular Health Tests

The study involved participants aged 18–45, who were regularly tested for cardiovascular health and cognitive indicators at the university’s Institute of Sport. Key tests included flow-mediated dilation (FMD), which measures how arteries expand after blood flow is restricted and released.

Researchers found both smokers and vapers showed flat responses — indicating stiffened, damaged arteries, a major predictor of future heart disease and dementia.

“This damage is likely caused by inflammation from nicotine, as well as metals and chemicals in vape liquids,” said Dr. Boidin. “Ingredients like propylene glycol, glycerine, and certain flavoring compounds can lead to oxidative stress, artery damage, and even cell death.”

Vapers Shocked by Their Own Declining Health

Two volunteers in the study shared how their perceptions of vaping changed after seeing their test results:

• Adam Petrulevic, 25, a postgraduate sports student, said he vapes "nonstop" and finishes a 3,500-puff vape in three days. “I thought it was harmless. Now I want to quit.”

• Marine, 33, switched to vaping to quit smoking but now vapes all day. “I’ve noticed I get out of breath easily. I didn’t expect it to be this bad.”

Vaping Use Soars Among Young Adults

Vaping in the UK has grown rapidly since 2005, with 5.1 million users aged 16 and over — roughly 10% of the population. Usage is highest among 16–24-year-olds, at nearly 16%.

A study by University College London revealed that over one million people in England vape despite never having been regular smokers — a seven-fold increase in just three years.

Experts Call for Tighter Regulation

Despite ongoing reports of severe health incidents — including collapsed lungs, respiratory failure, and even death — UK public health guidance still promotes vaping as a less harmful alternative to smoking.

Public Health England maintains that vaping carries only a "small fraction" of the risks of smoking, but acknowledges a lack of long-term data.

Dr. Boidin disagrees with this relaxed stance and warns of a looming health crisis.

“We should treat vaping as a temporary tool to quit smoking — nothing more. It should only be available on prescription, or we risk a public health emergency in 10 to 15 years.”

Labour MP Rachael Maskell echoed this sentiment, calling for stricter access. “This study adds to growing evidence that vaping can cause serious harm. The government must act.”

Industry Pushback

Not everyone agrees. Dr. Marina Murphy, spokesperson for the UK Vaping Industry Association, dismissed the study, stating:

“Millions have used vapes safely for years. Current data still suggests vaping poses no more than 5% of the risks of smoking.”

Conclusion

As the debate over vaping’s safety continues, this new study may shift public perception and policy. With its findings set to be published soon, health authorities and consumers alike will need to re-evaluate the long-standing assumption that vaping is a risk-free habit.

Source: Mirror / unionsafety /