Adolescent vapor seems to increase the risk of smoking, marijuana use, alcohol consumption and a range of health problems, according to a new analysis.

The study, published in Tobacco Control, linked the use of an electronic cigarette between adolescents and people at the age of 20 with an increased risk of asthma, coughing, injuries and poor mental health.

It is not clear whether the vapor is actually leading to these problems or whether young people involved in dangerous behaviors or have poor health are simply more likely to start using it, Euronews notes.

Last year, 22% of 15 -year -olds and 16 -year -olds in Europe said they were on a regular basis, according to a survey in 37 countries. This is increased by 14% five years earlier.

Researchers said the links between vaping and other issues were clear enough to justify the need for a stronger political action to prevent young people addiction to electronic cigarettes.

The latest findings “support stronger public health measures to protect adolescents from the dangers associated with vapor,” said Su Golder, one of the authors of the study and an Associate Professor in Health Science at the University of York in the United Kingdom.

The analysis included data from 56 studies published between 2016 and 2024.

Young people using an electronic cigarette are about three times more likely to start smoking than those who do not use electronic cigarettes. They are also significantly more likely to use marijuana and consume excessive amounts of alcohol.

There were also potential health risks associated with vapor to young people. Asthma diagnoses, for example, were between 20% and 36% higher among young people who used electronic cigarettes and some found that there were a higher risk of suicide and brain injuries.

Some of these health problems may arise when young people move from vapor to traditional tobacco cigarettes, said Greg Hartwell, one of the study authors and a clinical assistant professor at the London Tropical Medicine School.

“We have found consistent evidence of the transition to smoking, which of course, in turn, open the door to the plethora of damage caused by conventional cigarettes,” Hartwell said.

However, the authors said more research is needed to determine whether it is a cause -effect relationship.

As things are, the findings “can’t say anything about what was preceded,” said Ann McNeill, a professor of addiction to King College London, who did not participate in the study.

As for mental health problems, for example, it is not clear “if the vapor has caused mental illness or if the mental illness caused young people to steam,” McNeill said.