A recent study from the US has revealed that individuals who vape are nearly 20% more likely to develop heart failure compared to those who do not vape. This research, presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session, offers compelling evidence linking vaping to serious heart health issues. The study involved a substantial sample of 175,667 participants, aged around 52, with 3,242 diagnoses of heart failure recorded over an average follow-up period of approximately 45 months.
Vaping continues to increase in popularity across Australia, with about 1.7 million adults currently using e-cigarettes, a trend that has accelerated since 2018. Recent data noted that around 400,000 Australians started vaping within a year, marking a 30% uptick. Alarmingly, usage among teenagers aged 14 to 17 nearly tripled from 9.6% in 2019 to 28% in 2022-2023.
In response to the rising health concerns linked to vaping, Australia has introduced legislation restricting nicotine vape sales to pharmacies only. Dr. Yakubu Bene-Alhasan, the study’s lead author, emphasised the necessity for further investigation into the long-term health impacts of e-cigarettes, noting that time is of the essence given their growing popularity.