A recent study from Thailand reveals that young adults who use e-cigarettes face a significantly higher risk of early cognitive impairment compared to non-smokers, challenging the narrative that vaping is a harmless alternative to traditional tobacco.
- Alarming Risk Gap: Nearly 40% of young adult vapers screened at risk for cognitive impairment, compared to less than 1% of non-smokers.
- Quitting Intentions Matter: Vapers who have no plans to quit within the next month are six times more likely to experience cognitive decline.
- No ADHD Correlation: The research found no significant association between e-cigarette use and ADHD symptom tendency or emotional intelligence levels.
- Study Scope: Researchers evaluated 232 participants aged 18-25, utilizing validated tools like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
Researchers in Thailand have confirmed a stark link between e-cigarette use and early cognitive impairment in young adults. Published in Scientific Reports, the findings emerge amid growing global concerns over adolescent nicotine exposure, revealing that vapers are drastically more likely to face cognitive vulnerabilities than their non-smoking peers.
The rising popularity of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) has prompted urgent questions about brain health. Nicotine exposure during critical developmental years is known to affect brain maturation, potentially influencing attention, emotional regulation, and long-term cognitive function.
Study Design and Demographics
To investigate these neurocognitive outcomes, researchers conducted a cross-sectional analytical study between August 2023 and July 2024 in the Lat Krabang District of Bangkok. The study evaluated 232 young adults, with a mean age of 22, divided equally into 116 e-cigarette users and 116 non-smokers.
The participant pool primarily consisted of students, with 53.9% being female. Researchers noted that while alcohol use was common among the group, illicit drug use remained low. Interestingly, nearly half of the participants reported having a family member who smoked, pointing to environmental exposure.
Most e-cigarette users in the study reported moderate consumption (one or fewer devices per day), typically starting in late adolescence. Their habits were largely driven by:
- Curiosity and perceived reduced harm compared to combustible cigarettes.
- Social and contextual influences, such as nights out with peers.
- Peer environments that normalize and perpetuate vaping patterns.
Cognitive Impairment Findings
The most significant discovery centered on cognitive health, assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a validated screening instrument. The data showed a severe disparity in dementia and cognitive impairment risk between the two groups.
| Metric | E-Cigarette Users | Non-Smokers |
|---|---|---|
| At Risk for Cognitive Impairment | 39.7% | 0.9% |
| Odds Ratio: No plan to quit in 1 month | 6.04 times higher risk | N/A |
| Odds Ratio: No plan to quit in 6 months | 4.15 times higher risk | N/A |
The binary logistic regression analysis underscored that regular vaping, particularly without any intention to quit, is heavily associated with greater cognitive vulnerability.
ADHD and Emotional Intelligence
Despite the cognitive risks, the study did not find strong links between vaping and other neurobehavioral conditions. Using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), researchers found that roughly 10-11% of all participants showed ADHD symptoms, with no significant difference between vapers and non-smokers.
Similarly, emotional intelligence—measured across self-regulation, empathy, motivation, and interpersonal skills—showed no statistically significant divergence between the groups. While both groups exhibited slightly lower-than-expected levels of empathy and decision-making, researchers attributed these patterns to broader social contexts rather than direct e-cigarette use.
Implications for Public Health
These findings are critical for public health policy, as early cognitive changes can severely impact work productivity, brain health, and overall quality of life. While many young adults view vapes as a safe nicotine alternative, this study highlights severe potential neurocognitive consequences.
However, researchers urge caution in interpreting the results. Because the study was cross-sectional and localized to a single urban district, it cannot definitively establish causation. The MoCA is also a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. Moving forward, longitudinal research is required to fully understand the mechanisms linking ENDS to cognitive decline, while current public health strategies must pivot toward early intervention and raising awareness among young vapers.
- Journal reference: Chaleechad, S., Nentakong, T., Punrasi, P., La-up, A., Tadee, A., & Baubhom, T. (2026). The impact of e-cigarette use on cognitive function, emotional intelligence, and dementia risk in adolescents and young adults. Sci Rep. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-48579-z, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-48579-z