Young e-cigarette users are more likely to suffer from asthma

Canadian researchers (K Zhang et al, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada) presented, as part of the 2021 annual conference of the American Thoracic Society, a cohort follow-up, constituted from the Canadian Community Health Survey, concerning 17,190 people aged 12 years and older interviewed in 2015-2016 and 2017-2018 [1].

The study of this cohort shows that 16.7% of respondents had used an e-cigarette in the last 30 days. Taking into account possible confounding factors, it appears that e-cigarette users had a 19% higher risk of developing asthma than non-smoking non-e-cigarette users. In comparison, tobacco smokers had a 20% increased risk and ex-smokers a 33% increased risk. Among people with asthma, e-cigarette users had a 29% higher risk of having an asthma attack in the last 12 months compared to non-users.

The authors conclude that "e-cigarette use is associated with a significantly higher risk of developing asthma, a risk comparable to that of smokers." This preventable risk should be considered in primary care, particularly in young people.