Vaping or smoking found to reduce fitness in young people by 15%

by European Respiratory Society

edited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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Young people who vape or smoke cigarettes have reduced blood vessel function, breathing efficiency and exercise capacity compared with those who have never smoked or vaped, according to a study published in ERJ Open Research.

Dr. Azmy Faisal, the study's lead author at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom, explains, "In active, healthy young adults with normal lungs, both vaping and tobacco smoking led to worsened exercise capacity, shortness of breath and intense leg fatigue.

"Like smoking, our research indicates that vaping can lead to harmful changes to the blood vessels and lung efficiency during exercise, as well as an approximately 15% reduction in fitness compared with those who have never smoked or vaped."

The study examined 75 people ages 18–30. One-third had never smoked or vaped, one-third smoked but had never used vapes, and one-third had vaped for approximately three years but had never smoked. All participants had normal resting lung function and similar lifestyles, including caffeine and alcohol consumption and physical activity levels.

Each volunteer took part in an incremental cycle exercise test while their heart, breathing and blood lactate responses were measured at increasing difficulty levels until they reached their maximum. Ultrasound scans and blood tests were also conducted to assess how well their arteries were functioning.

Test results found that, at peak exercise ability, the vaping and smoking groups had significantly lower exercise capacity and oxygen uptake by approximately 15%. The lungs' ability to expel carbon dioxide was diminished, and lactic acid built up more quickly in vapers and smokers at all exercise levels before they reached their maximum. This resulted in increased breathlessness and leg discomfort compared with the group that had never smoked or vaped.

Ultrasound scans and blood samples showed signs of inflammation in the blood vessels. Researchers say these results suggest that vaping and smoking have similar effects in young people.

Faisal added, "These findings provide critical information for the general public, health care providers and regulatory authorities regarding potential early risks associated with vape use, particularly for the growing number of young adults who have never smoked but choose to use these products. Additionally, our study supports the UK's Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026, which prohibits vaping for individuals under 18 and aims to reduce vaping among young adults in the future."

The team is now planning to conduct a series of MRI studies to better understand the changes within the heart, lungs and skeletal muscles associated with vaping, particularly the underlying mechanisms that lead to lower levels of fitness.

Dr. Stamatoula Tsikrika of the European Respiratory Society's expert group on tobacco, smoking control and health education, based at Sotiria Hospital in Athens, Greece, was not involved in the research. She said, "More and more young people who have never smoked are using vapes. As the popularity of vaping continues to rise, so too do concerns that it is becoming normalized behavior, functioning as a gateway to nicotine addiction and introducing serious health risks.

"Vapes may contain lower levels of cancer-causing substances, but they can still trigger genetic changes such as DNA damage and inflammation, which are linked to increased lung cancer risk. For people who have never smoked and are therefore not using vapes as a cessation method, the health consequences of vaping are becoming harder for policymakers and the tobacco industry to justify."

Tsikrika also commented on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, passed in the United Kingdom earlier this year: "Ninety-four percent of smokers start before they are 25, and 22% of 15–16-year-olds in Europe are reported to use vapes. By establishing a generational sales ban on nicotine products, the UK has taken a monumental leap toward protecting the health of young people."

More information

Reduced vascular function, ventilatory efficiency, and exercise capacity in young adult E-cigarette users, ERJ Open Research (2026). DOI: 10.1183/23120541.00425-2026

Key medical concepts

VapingCigarette SmokingExercise capacityvascular inflammations

Clinical categories

Pulmonary medicineFitness & Physical activityHealthy livingCommon illnesses & Prevention Provided by European Respiratory Society Who's behind this story?

Sadie Harley

BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →

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