New Study Finds Vaping Increases the Risk of Asthma in Adolescents

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New Study Finds Vaping Increases the Risk of Asthma in Adolescents

New Study Finds Vaping Increases the Risk of Asthma in Adolescents

Research from Texas A&M University indicates that vaping increases the risk of adolescents, who have never smoked traditional tobacco products, developing asthma.

The study identifies associated risk factors and calls for public health measures to reduce vaping among adolescents. This research underscores the urgent need to address the rising trend of e-cigarette consumption and its adverse health effects.

In recent years, the number of adolescents using e-cigarettes, also known as vaping, has surged. While e-cigarettes contain fewer toxins than conventional cigarettes, they still contain a mixture of harmful chemicals that can increase the risk of respiratory diseases.

New Study Finds Vaping Increases the Risk of Asthma in Adolescents

Research Findings on Vaping and Asthma

In a new study published in “Preventive Medicine,” researchers analyzed data from a national survey of adolescents to determine if there is a connection between vaping and asthma. The research team also aimed to identify factors associated with adolescent e-cigarette use.

The study utilized data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, a nationwide health dataset established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to track the health behaviors and outcomes of children and adolescents. The research used data collected between 2015 and 2019, including information on e-cigarette use. The analysis included data from over 3,000 adolescents aged 13 to 17 in Texas, as well as data from over 32,000 adolescents in the United States for comparison.

Respondents were asked whether they had ever used e-cigarettes, how many days they had used them in the past 30 days, and whether they had been diagnosed with asthma by a healthcare professional. The study also included information on respondents’ gender, age, race and ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and the presence of depressive symptoms. The analysis also encompassed data on the use of other substances, such as traditional cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal drugs.

Relevance and Risk Factors

The research found a link between vaping and asthma in adolescents who had never smoked traditional tobacco products. This suggests that vaping increases the risk of adolescents developing asthma, regardless of their use of traditional tobacco products.

The study also revealed evidence that certain demographic factors, substance use behaviors, and the presence of depressive symptoms were associated with e-cigarette use. Adolescents who used traditional cigarettes, alcohol, and other substances were more likely to use e-cigarettes, as were those with depressive symptoms.

Furthermore, Hispanic adolescents in Texas were significantly less likely to use e-cigarettes compared to non-Hispanic white adolescents. However, researchers found no significant differences among ethnic and racial groups in the United States as a whole. More research is needed to identify the factors contributing to lower e-cigarette use among Hispanic adolescents in Texas.

Recommendations and Conclusion

Dr. Taehyun Roh, the lead author of the study, stated, “Increasing awareness of the harmful effects of e-cigarette use, implementing stricter regulations, and promoting alternative coping mechanisms for mental health can be potential interventions to reduce e-cigarette use.”

Given the burden of asthma and the increasing use of e-cigarettes among adolescents, researchers hope that these findings will provide valuable information for public health efforts aimed at reducing e-cigarette use.