Increased risk of developing cardiovascular challenges with lengthened cigarette and vape use with Nothando Mwendauya

Smoking is one of the risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. Over 8 million deaths result from tobacco use every year, and it is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths worldwide. In 2020, a South African study found that the highest onset of smoking was between the ages of 15 and 22, however, there were some who began as early as 9 years old. Since their introduction in 2007, E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, have continuously become popular over the years, leading some to debate whether vaping is the safer option compared to smoking tobacco. However, both the use of tobacco and e-cigarettes is associated with an increased risk for heart attack, stroke and coronary heart disease.

Ashleigh Nothando Mwendauya, a Physiology Honours student at the University of the Free State, is here to talk about smoking and vaping, and also raise awareness to the increased risk of developing cardiovascular challenges.