Vaping causes ‘substantial’ increase in risk of heart failure, study finds

Dr Bene-Alhasan, who will present his research at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session, said: “I think this research is long overdue, especially considering how much e-cigarettes have gained traction recently.

“We don’t want to wait too long to find out eventually that it might be harmful, and by that time, a lot of harm might already have been done,” he said.

He also encouraged people not to use vaping as a tool to quit smoking, as many people continue to use e-cigarettes long after they have given up tobacco cigarettes.

A study by University College London last month also linked vaping to potentially cancerous changes to cells in the cheeks, finding it damages them in a similar way to tobacco smoking that have previously been linked to lung cancer.

Around 4.5 million Britons vape and the Government only recommends they are used as a means to help people quit smoking.

But the trend has become increasingly popular, especially among young adults and teenagers.

Around 11 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds regularly use vapes, according to charity Action on Smoking and Health, while eight per cent of 11 to 17-year-olds do.

Last month, Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, pledged “to stop our kids getting hooked on nicotine” with a raft of measures to crack down on cigarettes and vapes.

These include a smoking ban that will mean no one turning 15 this year or younger will ever legally be able to buy cigarettes in Britain, as well as proposals to ban disposable vapes, as well as various flavours and colourful packaging.