The study was conducted by the renowned Professor Polosa, who is Director of the Institute of Internal Medicine and Anti Smoking Center at the University of Catania, and last June received an INNCO Global Award.

Preliminary evidence that long-term vaping is unlikely to pose significant health risks

While the sample size was small, “the results of this study may provide some preliminary evidence that long-term use of ECs is unlikely to raise significant health concerns in relatively young users.”

Prof Riccardo Polosa and his team, followed a small sample of young adults who had never smoked but used e-cigarettes on a regular basis. The participants were followed and monitored for approximately 3½ years, and their results were compared with a control group of non-smokers who had never used e-cigarettes.

“We found no decrements in spirometric indices, development of respiratory symptoms, changes in markers of lung inflammation in exhaled air or findings of early lung damage on HRCT, when compared with a carefully matched group of never-smoking non-EC users.” reported the study authors. The researchers added that even the heaviest of users displayed no signs of lung damage or inflammation, and no changes in blood pressure or heart rate were observed.

Polosa’s study answers concerns about arterial stiffness

These findings answer the concerns raised by a number of medical professionals who were linking vaping arterial stiffness. In fact, a study presented at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) International Congress, held during September 2017 in Milan, Italy, had pointed out that vaping momentarily increases one’s vital signs and arterial stiffness.

In response to the above, Prof. Peter Hajek, who is the director at the Tobacco Dependence Research Unit, at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), had pointed out that there are other things that have the same effect on the body and are considered irrelevant in terms of health risks. “This is a well-known stimulant effect of nicotine that has little relevance for health. Drinking coffee has the same effect, only greater and longer lasting (as does watching a dramatic football match).”

Further studies with larger samples required

Polosa’s study which was published on Scientific Reports, concluded that while the sample size was small, “the results of this study may provide some preliminary evidence that long-term use of ECs is unlikely to raise significant health concerns in relatively young users.” However, concluded the researchers, further studies with larger samples need to be carried out.