Study suggests young people who vape are more likely to test positive for COVID-19

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health shows that young people who reported ever having used e-cigarettes were five times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than non users.

The study surveyed adolescents and young adults ages 13-24 and was conducted in May 2020.

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Those who reported ever having used both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes were seven times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than non-users. Researchers said symptoms were 4.7 more likely to be seen in those who had used both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes in the past 30 days.

The study comes as the Washington State Department of Health reports that adults ages 20 to 39 represent a higher percentage of coronavirus cases than any other age group in the state.

It also comes as officials report vaping among teens and young adults in Washington has skyrocketed. Nearly 30% of high school seniors report using vapor products, the DOH says.

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“During the pandemic, people need to do everything possible to keep their lungs healthy. This means quitting e-cigarettes and tobacco,” said State Health Officer Kathy Lofy, MD. “It is so important for people to take advantage of the free tools available to help them break the grip e-cigarettes and tobacco have on them.”

Officials are reminding teens and young adults who want to quit vaping or smoking that they have several resources available to them:

Click here for the state’s “This is Quitting” from Truth initiative.

Click here for an app that helps users learn how to deal with unhelpful thoughts, urges, and cravings caused by the nicotine in vapor products.

Cox Media Group