Research highlights potential risks to brain and organ development linked to frequent e-cigarette use, especially with sweet flavours.

A recent study has suggested that teenagers who frequently use e-cigarettes may be at an increased risk of exposure to toxic metals, which could negatively impact their brain and organ development. The research, conducted by US scientists, also pointed out that sweet-flavoured vapes might carry an additional risk.

The study used data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) survey, which included teenagers aged 13 to 17. It focused on 200 vapers, categorising them into three groups based on their frequency of use: frequent, occasional, and intermittent. The study assessed biomarkers in their urine to check for traces of lead, uranium, and cadmium.

The findings revealed that both frequent and intermittent vapers had higher levels of lead in their urine compared to those who vaped less often. Frequent users also showed elevated levels of uranium. Additionally, the study found that the type of vape flavour could affect the amount of uranium present in the urine. Teenagers who preferred sweet-flavoured e-cigarettes had notably higher uranium levels than those who used menthol or mint-flavoured vapes.

The researchers acknowledged the limitations of the study, such as the possibility that environmental exposure or dietary intake could contribute to the presence of uranium in urine. Nonetheless, they warned that frequent e-cigarette use in adolescence could increase the likelihood of heavy metal exposure, which might be detrimental to the development of vital organs and the brain.

The study’s authors urged for more research and public health interventions to address these risks, especially among younger users. They also suggested that vaping regulations should be revised to mitigate potential harms.

Professor Lion Shahab, co-director of the UCL Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, reinforced the importance of monitoring e-cigarette exposure carefully. He pointed out that although the study was well-conducted, it could not establish a direct correlation between e-cigarette use and absolute increases in heavy metal exposure. He stressed that future research should explore the types of e-cigarette devices used and how they may vary in the levels of heavy metals they expose users to.

This research comes amidst growing concerns about adolescent vaping, with a report by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) revealing that 20.5% of children in the UK had tried vaping in 2023. This figure marks a steady increase from previous years, highlighting the need for tighter regulations to protect young people.

The UK Government’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced in October, aims to curb the rise in vaping among children and teenagers. The legislation proposes measures to limit the appeal of vapes through stricter controls on flavours, packaging, and in-store displays.