Covid cases have been soaring in recent weeks, and health experts have issued a stark warning to those who vape, as they are particularly vulnerable when it comes to the virus
Health experts have issued a stark warning to vapers as two new Covid strains, Nimbus and Stratus, trigger a fresh wave of infections across the UK.
The latest strains have been fuelling a surge in cases over recent weeks, with hospitals witnessing a rise in admissions and more people experiencing symptoms such as sore throats, fatigue, and coughs. According to data from the UK Health Security Agency, there were 3,049 reported cases of Covid in the week leading up to 1 October – marking a week-on-week increase of 19 per cent.
The latest weekly figures for deaths related to Covid in England reveal another 87 fatalities, while 2,077 individuals were admitted to hospital, reports Chronicle Live. Health authorities are urging the public to exercise caution in crowded areas and to stay home if they’re feeling unwell, while those who test positive are advised to self-isolate for five days to prevent further spread of the virus.
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Keith Rochfort, Assistant Professor at the School of Biotechnology at Dublin City University, has specifically warned that vapers could be particularly vulnerable. He explained that the layer that lines the inside of the lungs needs to remain robust to fend off infection, but is constantly under strain from pollution and infection.
He warned: “Vaping can add another layer of strain, and growing evidence shows that this extra pressure can damage the surface that makes every breath possible. The cloud from an e-cigarette carries solvents such as propylene glycol, flavouring chemicals, nicotine (in most products) and even trace metals from the device itself. When this cocktail reaches the lungs, it doesn’t stay on the surface. It seeps deeper, irritating the endothelium – the thin layer of cells lining the blood vessels that mesh with the air sacs.
“Healthy endothelium keeps blood flowing smoothly, discourages unnecessary clotting and acts as a selective gatekeeper for the bloodstream – controlling which substances, such as nutrients, hormones and immune cells, can pass in or out of the blood vessels while blocking harmful or unnecessary ones.
“Studies show vaping can disrupt these defences, causing endothelial dysfunction even in young, otherwise healthy people.”
He further added: “Both vaping and Covid drive inflammation. Vaping irritates and inflames the blood-vessel lining while Covid floods the lungs with pro-inflammatory molecules. Together they create a ‘perfect storm’: capillaries become leaky, fluid seeps into the air sacs and oxygen struggles to cross the blood–air barrier. Covid also raises the risk of blood clots in the lung’s vessels, while vaping has been linked to the same, compounding the danger.
“Vaping can also hinder recovery after a bout of Covid. Healing the fragile exchange surface requires every bit of support the lungs can get. Vaping adds extra stress to tissues the virus has already damaged, even if the vaper feels no immediate symptoms. The result can be prolonged breathlessness, persistent fatigue and a slower return to pre-illness activity levels.”
Marc Effron from Legacy Healing Centre also warned that combining vaping with infection from the new variants could significantly hamper the lungs’ ability to heal and potentially cause lasting damage. “Vaping already puts significant stress on the lungs,” Effron explained.
“But when you add a respiratory virus like Covid, particularly with these new strains that seem to linger longer in the airways, it becomes a dangerous mix. Your lungs are trying to fight off inflammation and repair tissue damage, while vaping keeps adding new irritation and chemicals into the equation.”
He continued: “The new variants such as Nimbus and Stratus appear to infect the upper and lower airways more efficiently. If those airways are already irritated or inflamed from vaping, the body struggles to clear the virus. The result can be more severe illness, prolonged cough, or lingering breathlessness.”
He revealed that some vapers experience prolonged recovery periods following Covid infection, even when the initial bout wasn’t particularly serious. The pairing of inflamed tissue and diminished oxygen exchange can lead to ongoing exhaustion, a sluggish return to normal breathing patterns, and symptoms resembling long Covid.
“Even after the virus is gone, your lungs need all the help they can get to repair. But vaping keeps interrupting that process,” Effron said. “It’s like trying to repaint a wall while someone’s still throwing dust at it.”
Medical professionals across the UK have observed that the latest Covid strains have reintroduced familiar symptoms, including sore throats and hoarse voices, but they are also witnessing an increase in persistent respiratory problems among those with pre-existing lung irritation or habits such as vaping.
“It’s not just about avoiding serious illness,” Effron added. “It’s about giving your lungs a fair chance to recover. Every puff delays that healing a little bit more.”
The UK Health Security Agency recently confirmed the Nimbus (NB. 1.8.1) and Stratus (XFG) variants are now circulating rapidly. While there’s no indication they trigger more severe disease, their considerable transmissibility means greater numbers of people are falling ill and consequently more chances for lung complications to develop.
“Think of it this way,” Effron said. “Your lungs are already fighting off one attacker, which is Covid. Don’t give them another opponent in the form of vapour chemicals. Even if it feels harmless, it’s like adding fuel to a fire that’s already burning.
“If you’ve recently had Covid, or you’re coughing and feeling winded, that’s the time to stop vaping, at least temporarily. It gives your lungs space to heal. You might even find your breathing feels clearer within weeks.
“Just because you don’t feel the damage today doesn’t mean it isn’t happening,” he said. “With these new variants spreading, your lungs are working overtime. The best thing you can do for them is stop adding to the strain.”