Smoking Increases Risk of Depression
Dr. Wala’a Hafez – Electronic smoking has seen growing popularity worldwide, particularly among young people and teenagers. Once viewed as an unappealing aid for smokers trying to quit, cheap electronic cigarettes with bright colors and sweet flavors have gained widespread appeal. Recent research indicates that smokers who switch to electronic smoking may be 50% more likely to develop lung cancer compared to those who quit smoking entirely. In this context, Professor Dr. Leon Shihab, Professor of Health Psychology at University College London (UCL), outlines the potential harms of electronic smoking on the body, as reported by The Telegraph:
1. Lung Damage
Professor Shihab states: “What is most concerning about electronic cigarettes is their impact on the respiratory system. The vapor from electronic cigarettes contains nicotine, flavorings, and toxic chemicals.” He explains that inhaling these substances into the lungs is likely to cause irritation and inflammation—a defensive response by the lungs. A 2024 study by Anglia Ruskin University found that even nicotine-free electronic cigarettes increase inflammation and damage blood vessels in the lungs. Professor Shihab adds: “Pre-asthma symptoms (such as coughing and shortness of breath) are more pronounced among electronic cigarette users who have never smoked, compared to non-users.” Additionally, a 2025 study by Johns Hopkins University found that five years of electronic smoking increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by 2.2 times compared to those who have never used electronic cigarettes.
2. Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
Electronic cigarette users are more prone to heart attacks due to nicotine, a highly addictive and toxic substance responsible for the intense craving to smoke. Professor Shihab notes: “Nicotine raises heart rate and blood pressure and causes changes in arterial stiffness.” Research suggests that frequent electronic smoking (at least five times a week for three months) damages blood vessels, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. A July 2026 study by Manchester Metropolitan University found that young electronic smokers have reduced exercise capacity, experience greater leg fatigue, and have 15% lower overall physical fitness compared to non-smokers.
3. Oral and Lung Cancer
Electronic cigarette users may be at higher risk of cancer. A comprehensive study conducted by scientists at the University of New South Wales in Sydney and published in March 2026 concluded that electronic cigarettes may cause lung and oral cancer. In a separate study by Seoul National University in South Korea, it was found that smokers who quit traditional smoking but continued using electronic cigarettes were 56% more likely to die from lung cancer compared to those who quit entirely. This may be due to the formation of carcinogenic chemicals, including acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, resulting from heating electronic cigarette liquid, as well as heavy metals present in these devices. Professor Shihab warns: “Over time, these metals may leach into the electronic cigarette liquid and enter the body.”
4. Depression and Suicide
A 2025 study published by the University of Bristol found a link between electronic cigarette smoking and a 13% increased risk of depression, noting associations with anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Professor Shihab states: “Their impact on mental health and stress is very clear. Nicotine itself may be linked to deteriorating mental health. Logically, if you use nicotine, you become dependent on it. Each time you stop using it, your body craves it. Trying to satisfy this craving creates a vicious cycle of stress, which harms your mental health.”
5. Meningitis and Glandular Fever
When meningitis broke out in Kent, England, in March, the UK Health Security Agency warned that sharing electronic cigarettes among students could be one way the bacteria causing the infection spread. Professor Shihab says: “The risk of infection transmission exists when devices are shared.” He warns that non-smokers should not start using electronic cigarettes, emphasizing that they should be limited to smokers who wish to quit and overcome their addiction.
