New research finds vaping may cause organ failure, heart disease, and dementia—just like smoking

For years, vaping has been sold as the safer alternative to smoking. But a chilling new study suggests e-cigarettes could be just as deadly—if not worse. Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University have uncovered alarming links between vaping and severe health conditions, including organ failure, heart disease, and cognitive decline leading to dementia.

The findings, led by Dr Maxime Boidin, directly challenge the widespread belief that vaping is a less harmful choice. In reality, the study suggests that vapers may be exposing themselves to dangers comparable to those faced by traditional smokers. The illusion of safety may be encouraging users to vape more frequently than they would smoke, increasing their risk of long-term damage.

One of the most shocking revelations was the effect on physical fitness. Both vapers and smokers exhibited similar levels of excessive breathing, muscle fatigue, and significantly reduced exercise capacity. The researchers also found that vaping damages artery walls, a known precursor to heart disease and other cardiovascular issues.

Dr Boidin’s study also raises concerns about the long-term neurological effects of vaping. The research indicates that continuous exposure to e-cigarette chemicals could increase the risk of dementia—a finding that will send shivers down the spines of regular vapers.

Another worrying factor is that vaping often happens more frequently throughout the day compared to smoking. Unlike cigarettes, which have a clear start and end point, e-cigarettes can be used continuously, leading to prolonged exposure to harmful substances. This increased intake could explain why some of the observed health effects appear just as severe—or even worse—than those caused by smoking.

For years, health experts have debated the risks of vaping. Some have argued that e-cigarettes help smokers quit, but this new research suggests they may be replacing one deadly habit with another. The study’s findings indicate that even if vapers manage to avoid tar—the most infamous culprit in cigarette-related lung disease—they may still face equally devastating consequences.

The study’s conclusions could have major implications for public health policy. Governments and health agencies worldwide have largely focused their warnings on cigarette smoking, while promoting vaping as a harm-reduction tool. But with evidence mounting that e-cigarettes can cause significant damage to multiple organ systems, regulators may be forced to take a harder stance.

For vapers who have switched from cigarettes in hopes of protecting their health, these findings serve as a grim reality check. While the full extent of vaping’s dangers is still being uncovered, this latest study makes one thing clear—e-cigarettes are far from safe.