Vaping linked to COVID-19 risk in teens, young adults

(Reuters) – Vaping could be associated with a five- to seven-fold increased risk of COVID-19 among American teens and young adults, a study published on Tuesday suggests.

Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine analyzed nationally representative survey data collected in May from 4,351 participants aged 13-24. The findings were published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

“Young people may believe that their age protects them from the onset of 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,” said study leader Shivani Mathur Gaiha in a press release.

Participants were asked if they had ever used vaping devices or flammable cigarettes, if they had had guns or smoking in the past 30 days, and if they had COVID-19 symptoms, tested for COVID-19 or were diagnosed with the infection.

Participants who had used both cigarettes and e-cigarettes in the previous 30 days were 4.7 times more likely to experience COVID-19 symptoms compared to those who never smoked or smoked.

Among people who were tested for COVID-19, those who simply used e-cigarettes were five times more likely to get a positive COVID-19 test result. Those who had ever used both e-cigarettes and cigarettes were seven times more likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19, the study found.

The study cannot prove that vaping causes COVID-19. However, the researchers note that vaping involves repeated contact of the hands with the mouth and face, which is associated with the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, exposure to nicotine and other chemicals in e-cigarettes and flammable cigarettes causes lung damage.

The researchers hope their findings will prompt the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate e-cigarettes effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic.