A new study has cast yet another cloud over vaping. Stanford researchers on Wednesday revealed vaping can lead to a "substantially increased risk" of COVID-19 in teens and young adults. The study found that people who vape are five to seven more times likely to contract the coronavirus compared to non-vapers. "Young people may believe their age protects them from contracting the virus or that they will not experience symptoms of COVID-19," says lead author Dr. Shivani Mathur Gaiha. "But the data show this isn’t true among those who vape." Although researchers haven't determined the exact reason for the increased risk, Gaiha believes it's because vaping can damage the lungs and lower a vaper's immune system. "It's not just a small increase in risk," Gaiha says. "It’s a big one."
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