VAPERS are just as unfit as smokers, a study has found.
Both found it harder to breathe and became tired more quickly than non-smokers on an exercise bike, tests showed.
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The findings add to concerns that the health implications of vaping are not yet fully understood.
In Manchester Metropolitan University’s study of people in their 20s, those who vaped produced a peak power output of 186 watts on an exercise bike and had an oxygen uptake of 2.71 litres a minute.
It was similar to tobacco smokers who generated 182 watts of energy and took in 2.6l litres of oxygen a minute.
But those who did not smoke or vape, hit 226 watts and three litres a minute.
Dr Azmy Faisal, who presented the data at the European Respiratory Society Congress, said: “The smokers and the vapers found it harder to breathe, their muscles became more fatigued and they were less fit.
Our research indicated vaping is no better than smoking.”
But statistician Prof Kevin McConway, who was not part of the study, said: “It is possible the results are caused by other lifestyle differences.”
Smoking vs. vaping
VAPING has been touted as an effective tool to help people quit smoking.
Though vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, the habit isn’t completely harmless and comes with its own set of risks.
The NHS only recommends it for adult smokers, to support quitting smoking.
GP and author Dr Philippa Kaye explained to The Sun that the differences between vaping and smoking – and whether one is better than the other – is “complicated”.
“In a nutshell, vaping is better than smoking, but breathing air is better than vaping at all.”
Vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins – and at lower levels – than smoking cigarettes.
Switching to vaping significantly reduces your exposure to toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease, and diseases of the heart and circulation like heart attack and stroke.
These diseases are not caused by nicotine, which is relatively harmless to health. But research has still linked vaping to a higher risk of failure and lung disease.
Health risks of cigarettes
- Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer
- Smokers are at greater risk for diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels
- Smoking can cause lung disease by damaging your airways and the small air sacs
- Smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in your body
- It affects overall health too, such as your mouth, eyes, immune system and fertility
Health risks of vaping
- They can cause side effects such as throat and mouth irritation, headache, cough and feeling sick
- They could lead to tooth decay
- They could damage heart health
- They could cause lung disease
- They could slow brain development
Read more on how vaping can affect your health here.
Sources: NHS, CDC
