Young e-cigarette users are unfortunately more likely to suffer from chronic stress, according to a recent study by researchers at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The study, presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress in Milan, found that young e-cigarette users were more than twice as likely to suffer from chronic stress as non-users. Chronic stress can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. The study was based on data from 905 participants aged 15 to 30, of whom 115 (12.7%) used e-cigarettes. The researchers emphasized the importance of offering help to young people with stress to prevent them from turning to harmful behaviors such as vaping or smoking.
Interestingly, the study also found that e-cigarette users were more physically active than non-users. The researchers are unsure why this is the case, but suggest that young people who use e-cigarettes may be trying to control their weight through exercise and believe that vaping could help. The study does not provide a clear answer as to whether stress promotes the use of e-cigarettes or whether vaping intensifies perceived stress. The researchers took into account various variables known to affect stress levels, such as income level, alcohol consumption, and health conditions like asthma and diabetes.
While the study suggests that young people who use e-cigarettes may experience a reduced quality of life, they appear to have a lower risk for certain health indicators such as high blood pressure. However, it is important to note that these findings are not statistically significant. The researchers stress the need for longer-term studies to understand how e-cigarettes affect the health of young people. Overall, the study highlights the potential risks associated with e-cigarette use among young people and the importance of addressing stress and mental health issues in this population.
