US study finds vaping doubles risk of serious lung disease, even without a history of smoking

A new study published by the University of Oxford reveals that vaping more than doubles the risk of developing serious lung disease.[1]This longitudinal study showed that people who vape, even without having ever smoked, are 2.29 times more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Vaping poses an increased risk of lung disease

The study was conducted in the United States and for more than three years, 249,190 people were followed, of whom 67.2% were women, 52% were non-Hispanic whites, and 21.5% were non-Hispanic blacks. The results indicate that exclusive use of e-cigarettes, compared to non-use, was not significantly associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, or heart failure. On the other hand, the use of e-cigarettes was significantly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and for people in the 30-70 age group, an association was observed with high blood pressure.

Exclusive use of combustible cigarettes and dual use were strongly associated with all risks with fairly similar risk levels except for atherosclerosis, for which dual use presented a significantly higher risk than that associated with exclusive use of combustible cigarettes.

Dr. Stuart Jones, a pulmonologist, explains that this research is one of the first to clearly highlight the long-term risks of vaping alone.[2]Unlike many previous studies, where participants often had a history of smoking, this one focused only on exclusive e-cigarette users. This is therefore the first large study to clearly prove that vaping alone can cause COPD. " he specifies.

Evidence of vaping's harm mounts

According to other research, exclusive smokers have a three to five times higher risk of developing COPD, suggesting that vaping alone remains a less risky alternative to smoking. The rate of COPD diagnosis is higher in smokers than in vapers, so vaping remains less dangerous… but the long-term negative effects [of vaping] are very real ", emphasizes Dr. Jones.

Another worrying aspect, however, concerns so-called "dual" users, i.e., those who smoke and vape at the same time. These users present an even higher risk than exclusive smokers. The major problem concerns those who do both: smoke and vape… they are the most exposed because these two practices damage the respiratory tract in different ways, and combined, the effects are cumulative. " he explains.

Letitia Harding, CEO of the Asthma and Lung Disease Foundation of New Zealand, responded to the findings by saying: " Vaping is not harmless – it never has been – and this study shows that it causes irreversible long-term lung damage. […] The vaping industry is using the same tactics Big Tobacco employed decades ago, resulting in a new generation of nicotine-addicted teens who, we now know, are at risk of developing a lifelong respiratory illness. »[3].

Evidence of the harmfulness of vaping products is accumulating through scientific research, with an American study recently warning of the effects nicotine concentrations in disposable e-cigarettes. Similarly in South Africa, health professionals have just raised the alarm on The dangers of vaping for teen mental health.

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[1]John Erhabor, Zhiqi Yao, Erfan Tasdighi, Emelia J Benjamin, Aruni Bhatnagar, Michael J Blaha, “E-cigarette Use and Incident Cardiometabolic Conditions in the All of Us Research Program”, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaf067

[2]RNZ, Vaping doubles risk of serious lung disease, even without smoking history – study, published May 2, 2025, accessed May 12, 2025

[3]New Zealand Doctor, Vaping causes incurable lung disease, groundbreaking study shows, published May 2, 2025, accessed May 12, 2025

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