Using e-cigarettes at an early age may act as a gateway to smoking cigarettes later in life, which in turn can lead to health issues in young people, according to a study published in the journal Tobacco Control.
A recent review shows that there is a consistent link between using vapes at an early age and later progression to cigarette smoking. This work also revealed links between vaping and a range of health issues, including asthma, mental health concerns, and drug use. Researchers from the University of York and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) argue that the consistent findings across the studies included in this review provide a compelling case for developing precautionary policies, such as restricting youth access to e-cigarettes and strengthening public education efforts.
“Our previous reviews have shown that commonly used marketing strategies for e-cigarettes on social media networks resulted in more young people vaping, and this new review looks at what happens when vaping is a regular practice,” said Su Golder, Associate Professor in Health Science at the University of York. “The consistency in the evidence is striking. Across multiple studies, young people who use e-cigarettes are more likely to smoke in the future. These findings support stronger public health measures to protect teens from the risks associated with vaping.”
Multiple studies also identified links between vaping at a young age and respiratory problems, as well as a higher risk of depression and suicidal thoughts in teens. The authors emphasise the need for more research to better inform young people about the dangers of vaping.
“Our review provides the most comprehensive picture to date on the range of risks vaping poses to young people. In particular, we found consistent evidence around transitions to smoking, which, of course, in turn, opens the door to the multitude of harms that conventional cigarettes bring,” said Dr Greg Hartwell, Clinical Assistant Professor at the London School of Hygiene Tropical Medicine.
Golder S, Hartwell G, Barnett LM, et al Vaping and harm in young people: umbrella review. Tobacco Control Published Online First:19 August 2025. doi: 10.1136/tc-2024-059219