The media reports the results of sloppy vaping research, then quickly forgets them. We do not. What follows is a list of many of the low-quality studies that have investigated the alleged health risks of e-cigarette use.
We’ll regularly update this catalog of bad studies as necessary.
The past year has seen the publication of many studies alleging that e-cigarette use (vaping) carries very serious health consequences, everything from depression to erectile dysfunction and higher stroke risk. Each paper generated widespread media coverage, usually one news outlet duplicating the uncritical coverage of the last, giving consumers the false impression that vaping poses a greater health threat than it actually does. When we examined these studies in more detail, we identified their serious flaws and reported them to our readers.
But health reporters tend to obsess over a topic for a few days then forget it entirely, quickly moving on to the next exaggerated study. So in the spirit of developing a more comprehensive understanding of the health risks and benefits of vaping, here’s a greatest-hits compilation of the questionable research that has hit the headlines in recent months. [1]
- Vaping causes brain inflammation?
“Study suggests e-cigarettes can cause brain inflammation — with flavors affecting severity,” Salon reported in April. Never averse to hyperbole, the progressive outlet continued:
Cameron English – American Council on Science and Health – 2022-07-19