Vaping Study Links E-Cigs to Heart Disease & Dementia

A landmark study from Manchester Metropolitan University has delivered a stark warning: long-term vaping may be just as dangerous as smoking cigarettes. As the UK government enforces a ban on single-use vapes, new research by Dr. Maxime Boidin challenges the widely held belief that e-cigarettes are a “safe” alternative. The findings indicate that chronic vaping causes significant arterial damage, increasing the risk of heart disease, organ failure, and even dementia, potentially triggering a future public health emergency.

Key Takeaways

Arterial Damage: Vapers and smokers show similar levels of arterial stiffness, a precursor to heart disease and organ failure.
Brain Health Risk: Reduced blood flow to the brain in vapers increases the risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia.
Usage Patterns: Vaping is often more continuous than smoking, leading to higher, uncontrolled nicotine intake.
Policy Call: Researchers argue vapes should be prescription-only to prevent a “health emergency” in the next 10-15 years.

Core Finding: Vaping Equals Smoking in Vascular Harm

The two-year controlled study, the first of its kind to monitor long-term effects, produced shocking results. Participants aged 18 to 45 underwent stress tests to measure blood vessel elasticity and brain blood flow. The data revealed that the arteries of vapers were just as damaged as those of traditional smokers. Specifically, the flow-mediated dilation (FMD) test showed a “flat reading” for both groups, signaling that their artery walls could no longer expand properly—a critical warning sign for future cardiovascular events.

Expert Insight:
“What we have found is the dangers for someone who keeps vaping are no different from smokers… When you put this mixture of metals and chemicals into your body you can’t expect nothing to happen.” — Dr. Maxime Boidin, Senior Lecturer in Cardiac Rehabilitation.

The “Continuous Use” Trap

Beyond the physiological damage, the study highlights a behavioral risk unique to vaping. Unlike cigarettes, which have a natural end point (burning out), vapes allow for continuous, uninterrupted use. Dr. Boidin notes that because vaping is socially acceptable in more places and lacks the “stop point” of a cigarette, users often consume nicotine continuously without realizing the volume. One participant, a 25-year-old student, admitted to finishing a 3,500-puff device every three days, vaping “without stopping” until sleep.

Data Snapshot: Health Risks Identified

The study correlates specific vaping mechanics with severe long-term health outcomes.

Mechanism	Biological Impact	Long-Term Consequence
Nicotine & Metals	Inflammation & Oxidative Stress	Arterial Stiffness / Heart Disease
Restricted Blood Flow	Reduced Oxygen to Brain	Cognitive Dysfunction / Dementia
Continuous Inhalation	Uncontrolled Toxic Load	Respiratory Failure / Organ Damage

Practical Application: A Call for Prescription-Only Access

The implications of this research directly contradict current NHS advice describing vaping as “substantially less harmful.” Dr. Boidin argues that the only valid use for e-cigarettes is as a short-term transition tool for quitting smoking. Consequently, he advocates for a total ban on recreational sales, suggesting vapes should be available only on prescription for limited durations. Without such measures, he predicts a massive spike in cardiovascular and cognitive diseases among the younger generation within the next decade.

Is vaping safer than smoking?

This new study suggests no, at least regarding heart and brain health. Long-term vaping causes similar arterial damage to smoking, and the “continuous use” nature of vapes may actually lead to higher toxic exposure over time.