Doctor found vaping could be worse than smoking in world-first study as UK brings in vape ban

Well, despite whatever deals your local boss man might be trying to offer you right now, the vaping ban is now in force.

As of yesterday (1 June), there is now a ban on selling, supplying, or possessing for sale of any single-use disposable vapes in the UK. However, shops and supermarkets can still sell rechargeable or refillable devices. This comes as fears surrounding the health of children and young people related to vaping have increased. It is also being put in place in consideration of the environmental impact of these disposable vapes.

As the health worries have continued though, a world-first study was conducted into the long-term effects of vaping.

And it only echoes them as a doctor found puffing on the colourful sticks could be worse than smoking actual cigarettes.

Vapes carry health and environmental concerns (Getty Stock)

What did the study say about vaping vs smoking?

Manchester Metropolitan University began conducting this world-first study into the long-term effects of vaping back in 2023.

During the process, participants aged between 18 to 45 (with an average of 27) were studied at the uni’s Institute of Sport.

All with similar fitness levels, they were given regular stress tests.

Consuming only water and not vaping, smoking or exercising for 12 hours before, these tests would measure the elasticity of their blood vessels, which is a good indication of a person's vascular health, according to the university, and speed of blood flow to their brains.

With early information given in February, it’s said that smokers and vapers had a ‘flat reading’ which signalled damaged artery walls that can no longer violate, meaning they are at risk of severe cardiovascular problems in the future.

Bye bye rainbow vapes (Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images)

What the doctor said about vaping

At the start of the study, Dr Maxime Boidin had held the belief that ‘vaping was more beneficial than smoking’.

However, when the Mirror had this early look at the study, he explained how with vapes, ‘it’s much easier’ to vape continuously rather than smokers.

“Smokers tend to go outside and smoke, and once a cigarette is finished they have to light up another to keep going,” the leader said. “But with vapes, you just keep going and it’s much harder to know how many puffs you’ve had.”

In response to the various damage found in the study, Dr Boidin believes it’s caused by inflammation from nicotine plus other metals and chemicals found in vapes such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine.

“When you put this mixture of metals and chemicals into your body you can’t expect nothing to happen,” he said, adding he believes vaping can be more dangerous because it’s harder to know when to stop.

UK vaping ban

The sale and supply of disposable vapes is now banned across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It applies to both high street and online retailers, which will only be able to legally sell vapes that are rechargeable, refillable and have a coil that can be easily replaced.

Anywhere found to be breaking the ban will be charged a £200 on-the-spot fine, while re-offenders may face unlimited fines or jail time.