(U.S.) – A new study suggests vaping is linked t an elevated risk of COVID-19 among teenagers and young adults.
According to the study, led by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and published Tuesday in the peer-reviewed Journal of Adolescent Health, teens and young adults who vape are five times more likely to become infected with the coronavirus compared with those who did not use e-cigarettes.
Additionally, researchers determined those who both vaped and traditionally smoked were nearly seven times more likely to become infected with the illness. In the study, researchers froM Stanford examined surveys completed by more than 4,300 participants between the ages of 13 to 24 who lived throughout the country, including the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories.
Officials indicated results were adjusted to account for factors such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, LGBTQ status, education, body mass index, compliance with the shelter-in-lace orders, and state rates for COVID-19 positivity. Participants in the survey were asked if they’d ever used vaping devices or combustible cigarettes. They were also asked to indicate if they’d vaped or smoked in the past 30 days.
Researchers noted that those who had were more likely to experience COVID-19 symptoms such as coughing, fever, tiredness, and difficulty breathing.
