Teenagers and young adults who vape may be up to seven times more likely to catch coronavirus, a study has found.
Researchers who surveyed 4,351 Americans aged 13-24 in May found that those who had used both e-cigarettes and cigarettes were seven times more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19.
Those who had used both cigarettes and e-cigarettes in the previous 30 days were 4.7 times more likely to experience symptoms of the disease compared to those who had never smoked or taken weapons.
Among people testing for coronavirus, those who simply used e-cigarettes were five times more likely to test positive for the disease.
Study leader Shivani Mathur Gaiha said: “Young people may believe that their age protects them from contracting the virus or that they will not experience any symptoms of COVID-19, but the data show that this is not true among those who vape. . “
Teenagers and young adults who vape are at greater risk of catching coronavirus, according to the study
Those involved were asked if they had ever used vaping devices or flammable cigarettes, if they had had guns or smoked in the past 30 days, and if they had experienced coronavirus symptoms, were tested for them or diagnosed with the disease.
The results of the study by Stanford University School of Medicine were published Tuesday in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Researchers pointed out that the study does not prove that vaping causes coronavirus, but that it involves repeated contact of hands to the mouth and face, which is associated with the spread of the disease.
In addition, lungs from vapers could be damaged by the nicotine and other chemicals in e-cigarettes and flammable cigarettes, the team said.
The researchers hope their findings will prompt the U.S. government to regulate e-cigarettes effectively during the coronavirus pandemic.
