If You Think Vaping Is Safer Than Smoking, You Might Want to Read This

If you've been defending your vape habit by saying it's healthier than smoking in the long run—this might be the wake-up call you didn't expect.

The very first controlled study in the world looking at the long-term effects of vaping on the human body has produced results that are nothing short of alarming. Originally designed to help smokers quit, vapes—thanks to their sleek designs and fruity, candy-like flavors—have become wildly popular with young adults, including many who have never touched a cigarette in their lives. The prevailing assumption? That vaping is a “healthier” alternative to traditional smoking.

But now, that narrative is being challenged in a big way.

Groundbreaking Study on Vaping

The study, conducted by researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University, is the first of its kind to comprehensively compare the long-term impact of vaping versus smoking on human health. Scheduled to conclude next month, some early findings have already been released—and they’re raising serious concerns.

Dr. Maxime Boidin, leading the research at the university’s Institute of Sport, has described the results so far as “deeply worrying.” And for anyone still holding onto their vape as they read this, you might want to set it down for a minute.

How the Study Was Conducted

The research involved participants aged between 18 and 45, all with comparable levels of fitness to ensure consistency. Each participant had to refrain from smoking, vaping, exercising, or consuming anything other than water for 12 hours prior to testing.

The scientists analyzed the participants' blood flow and the elasticity of their blood vessels—key indicators of cardiovascular health. One of the primary metrics studied was Flow-Mediated Dilation (FMD), which uses ultrasound technology to measure how well blood vessels respond to increased blood flow.

The Shocking Results

Both smokers and vapers showed similarly poor FMD results, indicating that the arteries of vapers are just as damaged as those of cigarette smokers. In short, both groups exhibited a "flat reading" in the FMD tests—a clear sign of impaired vascular function.

Additional tests showed blood flow to the brain was similarly reduced in both groups. According to Dr. Boidin, this damage is likely caused by nicotine, which is found in both vapes and cigarettes. However, vapes also contain other harmful substances, such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, and metal particles, not to mention the countless chemical flavorings added to enhance taste.

These flavoring agents, while making vaping more appealing, may contribute to oxidative stress and inflammation, further damaging the delicate inner lining of arteries.

What Are the Long-Term Risks?

According to the Mayo Clinic, once an artery’s inner wall is compromised, it becomes a collection point for blood cells, cholesterol, and fats. Over time, this can lead to the buildup of plaque, which narrows the arteries, limits blood flow, and increases the risk of heart attacks or strokes. In some cases, the plaque can rupture, leading to dangerous blood clots.

Dr. Boidin also warned that restricted blood flow to the brain can raise the risk of cognitive decline, including forms of dementia. The study is also expected to show that fitness levels in young vapers may be noticeably impaired compared to non-users.

Despite initially believing that vaping might be the “healthier” choice, Dr. Boidin now argues that vaping is just as dangerous as smoking when used consistently over time. “When you put this mixture of metals and chemicals into your body,” she says, “you can’t expect nothing to happen.”

She also pointed out that vaping habits can be harder to control than smoking. “A smoker has to make a conscious decision to light up another cigarette,” Boidin said, “but a vaper can puff away endlessly, sometimes even indoors, without realizing how much they’ve consumed.”

So, What’s the Next Step?

Dr. Boidin believes vapes should be available only by prescription and used solely as a temporary aid to help people stop smoking, not as a permanent habit or recreational product.

However, not everyone agrees. Dr. Marina Murphy, a scientific spokesperson for the UK Vaping Industry Association, criticized the findings. She stated that millions of people have used vapes safely for years, and emphasized other research that suggests vaping carries less than 5% of the health risks associated with smoking.

Still, this latest research presents serious food for thought. As the world continues to learn more about the long-term effects of vaping, one thing becomes increasingly clear: the idea that vapes are “harmless” or “safe” might just be a dangerous illusion.