Young people between the ages of 13 and 24 who used e-cigarettes are five to seven times more likely to be diagnosed with the coronavirus, according to a survey conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine.
The study of almost 4,400 adolescents and young adults from throughout the 50 states and the District of Columbia included various races, genders, weights, sexual orientations, regions of the country, shelter-in-place order residents and those who would likely be tested for COVID-19, WUSA-TV (Channel 9) reported.
The study, conducted in May and published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, concluded a coronavirus diagnosis occurred five times more likely to a person in that age group that had ever used e-cigarettes but seven times more likely in those who used e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes, known as dual users.
The study also said a diagnosis was nearly 6.8 times more likely among dual users in the past 30 days.
The study’s authors speculated both types of cigarettes on the lungs could increase the risk of getting the coronavirus. They also theorized users who bring their hands up to their faces more often could spread the virus plus people who share e-cigarettes could unfurl the disease, too, WUSA reported.