Vapear is no longer just a passenger fashion among teenagers. In Europe alone, 44% young between 15 and 16 have tried vapeo at least once and 22% claim to consume them regularly, a scenario that. At first glance, a vapeman may seem harmless. This small and discreet device emits steam instead of smoke and its cartridges of sweet or fruity flavors often camouflage the bitter taste of the nicotine. Even so, they release this addictive substance ,.
Now, a new study published this Wednesday in the reinforce of these background with new evidence. Led by researchers from the United Kingdom, the work analyzed 56 systematic revisions that, together, cover 384 studies on the use of vapeman in children under 25 years. And despite the fact that the analyzes varied in quality, they all reached similar conclusions: the young people who vapor have up to three times more likely to start in the consumption of conventional cigarettes than those who do not.
According to the public health researcher and main author, clear associations between vapeo and greater subsequent consumption of other substances such as marijuana and alcohol were also found. “In my experience, this level of consistency is rare in the investigation,” says Golder, after having made the first umbrella review on this topic. Although many young people the reality is that scientific evidence continues to accumulate in the opposite direction.
The effects are not limited to the behaviors of those who vape. Metaanalysis detected significant associations between vapeo and health problems such as pneumonia, bronchitis, lower sperm counts, dizziness, headaches, migraines and poor oral health. Asthma is the most common respiratory condition, with consistent associations that indicated between 20% and 36% more risk of being diagnosed with the disease. Even links with mental health problems, such as depression and suicidal thoughts were observed. “It is an area where I would like to see more research to be more certain,” acknowledges the author of the review.
Other experts who have not participated in the study, however, also distrust their main conclusion: they are not convinced that they can already talk about a relationship between vapeo and smoking. Diego González, a specialist in thoracic surgery at the Quirónsalud Hospital A Coruña, points to El País that although the study “makes enough sense” because many times, these behaviors are given in contexts such as night outings or social environments there are associations that should be studying better. “I am not so sure that vaping is a direct risk factor to consume marijuana,” he adds.
For Ann McNeill, Professor of King’s College tobacco addiction (United Kingdom), the review incorrectly states that the results support “a causal relationship.” McNeill alleges that “studies at the individual level on which these revisions focused do not take into account all possible influences on these behaviors, such as the search for sensations or impulsivity.”
Since the newly published research recognizes the existence of limited evidence – and 53 of the 56 revisions covered were qualified as very low or low or low quality – McNeill emphasizes that better research is needed “in order to reach reliable conclusions”. Something similar thinks Stephen Burgess, statistical of the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom), because although a causal explanation of the results is “plausible and consistent with the tests provided” can only be obtained conclusively through “a random essay.” “It is likely that we never have conclusive evidence that demonstrates that vapeo is the cause of health results,” he says to SMC.
Europe hardens control little by little
The regulation of vapeo in Europe varies between countries, but in general, there are laws and regulations that seek to control vapeo. They have prohibited disposable vapers, while others such as Germany are considering imposing higher taxes. Although the answer is not uniform, the general message is that you have to stop this habit.
“I have operated patients who were usual vapers. I remember one in Egypt, young, with very damaged lungs. The shocking thing is that I didn’t even have been doing it for many years. The damage can be serious, even in the short term,” says Diego González. In Spain, 11.1% of. Carlos Jiménez, a member of the Smoking Area of the Spanish Society of Thoracic Pneumology and Surgery, emphasizes El País that “everything is not being done enough to control this problem”
And when he talks about acting, Jiménez advocates the regulation of these devices in public spaces and “a stricter control” of the production, distribution, sale and advertising designed to attract, precisely, the youngest. It is equated with electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco and vapeman with the traditional ways of smoking. Although the text has left out the idea of the generic packaging, it does maintain the prohibition of flavors and aromas in vapers.
In addition, since April 1, a new Liquid Tax for vapeters and similar products is in force in Spain. It is a measure that is part of. Galicia goes one step further: last month he became the.
“Even if the only damage were the ones we already identify, that would already be enough to take measures. We must try to reduce the youth vapeo addressing the marketingthe exposure on social networks and the packaging, ”concludes this British researcher Sue Golder, whose work envives this debate. The vapeo, which was born as an alternative, is perhaps closer and closer to becoming a public health problem on a global scale. Golder hopes to continue investigating those possible effects of vapeo,” depending on the available financing. ”
