Problema 2 · Inglés PAU Canarias Julio (Reserva) 2026

Vaping may have serious and lasting effects on children’s health

Cardiologists, researchers and health experts said they were “extremely concerned” about the harmful impact of e-cigarettes on millions of teenagers and young people. The effects of these products, some of which are still unknown, include exposure to toxins and cancer-causing agents.

Speaking at Madrid’s European Society of Cardiology annual congress, Prof Maja-Lisa Løchen, a senior cardiologist at the University Hospital of North Norway, expressed her worries: “Millions of children could face medical problems in the future, vaping may be causing irreversible harm to children’s brains and hearts. Of course, we have to wait for long-term data, but I am concerned.”

Young vape users are at a higher risk of many diseases. For instance, vaping stresses children’s cardiovascular system. If they do so repeatedly, it can lead to high blood pressure, which increases the risk of developing an irregular heart rhythm, a cerebrovascular accident and even a heart attack.

This rise in health risks can be attributed to the fact that when e-cigarettes heat liquids to higher temperatures, they can liberate large amounts of well-known carcinogens. These and other toxic chemicals can damage arteries, veins and capillaries, cause inflammation in the body and contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Additionally, researchers know that the nicotine and other elements in e-cigarettes have a very dangerous effect on developing brains, affecting not only unborn babies of pregnant women, but also children and young adults into their 20s. When children stop vaping, some of them experience nicotine abstinence, which can result in irritability and anxiety, as the body adjusts to the absence of this substance. Prof. Løchen highlighted the serious implications of this dependency, stating that “when children and young people start vaping, they may become dependent on nicotine, which can open the door to smoking.”

At the congress, other experts remarked that they are seeing a growing trend of vaping among children. Also, they noted that the long-term impact of vaping on heart health is unclear, because e-cigarettes have not been in use long enough to draw definitive conclusions. It could take years before the full effects become apparent.

Though some suggest that vaping is a safer alternative to traditional smoking, researchers are not sure about that. Evidence indicates that we may be replacing one highly addictive substance with another one that could be similar in how it affects the heart and arteries. Scientists warn that vaping is not risk-free, so no child or teenager should try an e-cigarette. Vaping is a critical issue that requires attention and immediate action to keep our youth healthy and free from nicotine addiction.

Adapted from The Guardian, September 2025

2. ANSWER the questions below. COPY no more than 10 words and/or a number from the text to answer each question. (1.5 points)

a)

Where did Professor Løchen and her colleagues voice their concerns regarding vaping?

b)

What harmful substances can hot liquids generate when used in vaping devices?

c)

Why does the writer demand urgent intervention?