New Study Warns: Vaping Reduces Fitness Levels in Young Adults by 15%
A compelling new study published in ERJ Open Research reveals that vaping may be far more damaging to physical fitness than previously thought. It reduces exercise capacity in young adults by approximately 15%, on par with the effects of traditional cigarette smoking.
Researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University studied 75 adults aged 18 to 30. These participants were divided into three equal groups:
- Non-smokers
- Cigarette smokers
- Exclusive vapers who had been using e-cigarettes for around three years
Participants underwent an intensive cycling test while scientists measured various health parameters. These included heart function, breathing efficiency, oxygen uptake, blood lactate levels, and blood vessel health. Measurements were taken using ultrasound scans and blood tests.
Both the vaping and smoking groups performed significantly worse than non-users. At peak exercise, their oxygen uptake and exercise capacity were around 15% lower. The vapers also showed poorer blood vessel function and reduced breathing efficiency. This debunks the widespread assumption that e-cigarettes are a “safer” alternative to traditional tobacco products.
The research team is now planning MRI studies to more deeply examine how vaping affects the heart, lungs, and muscles at a structural level. While the study’s authors note that larger clinical trials are needed before firm public health conclusions can be drawn, the findings send a strong warning to health-conscious young people who may consider vaping a harmless habit.
Source: Medical Dialogues – Medical Bulletin July 16, 2026