A study conducted under the auspices of the School of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University and published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research has identified a connection between electronic cigarette use and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as elevated blood pressure in adults aged 30-70. The analysis was based on data from 249,190 individuals over four years. Electronic cigarette use is associated with an increased risk of COPD, although the effect is less pronounced than that of traditional cigarettes. Among people aged 30 to 70, a slight increase in hypertension risk has also been noted.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, 4.5% of young adults used electronic cigarettes. Lead author Michael Blaha, professor of cardiology and epidemiology, noted: "Until now, data on the harm from e-cigarettes has been limited, but our analysis clears up this uncertainty." Scientists urge that these findings be taken into account when developing recommendations for vaping use and to tighten regulation of the electronic cigarette market.