By Ella Pickover Pa Health Correspondent,Jordan Coussins

Copyright birminghammail

Scientists are set to investigate the long-term effects of vaping on ex-smokers. The research aims to shed light on the safety of vaping after giving up smoking and determine the optimal duration for using vapes as a cessation aid. Around 200 individuals will participate in this study. Participants will be sourced from the NHS staff smoking cessation clinic at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, as well as community stop smoking services. Read more: Tattooist who went viral in flag video says ‘idiots’ Half of the participants will receive nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches or gum, while the other half will be provided with vapes. Over the course of a year, samples will be collected to evaluate lung health, which will then be compared to samples from 40 individuals who have never smoked or vaped. Unlike previous studies into vaping that assessed lung health at a single point in time, this research, led by academics from the University of Birmingham , will track participants over a year to gain deeper insights into the long-term impacts of vaping when used as a quit aid. The researchers, who received £1.55 million from the Medical Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, hope that the study will answer questions about the biological effects of vaping on lung cells, immune cells, inflammatory markers and the airway. They also plan to examine changes in genes and proteins over time, as well as the accumulation of toxicants within the airways following vaping. “We will study how vaping affects important airway immune cells and the epithelial cells which line the insides of the lung,” stated Dr Aaron Scott, the chief investigator of the study. “Since these cell types play a critical role in the development of smoking-related lung diseases, these changes will provide clear insight into vaping on lung health.” Adding to this, David Thickett, professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Birmingham and clinical lead for the study, said: “This study will provide critical data needed to understand the safety of vaping as a short-term smoking cessation strategy and the potential for harm in longer-term usage so people can make an informed personal choice about whether to quit with e-cigarettes and how long to use them after swapping to stop.” England’s chief medical officer, Professor Sir Chris Whitty, has previously stated: “If you smoke, vaping is much safer; if you don’t smoke, don’t vape.” Jonathan Blades, director of external affairs at Asthma and Lung UK, commented: “Research into the effects of vaping is desperately needed as so little is known about the long-term effects, although evidence so far suggests smoking is much more harmful. “As well as more research, we need the Government to pass the Tobacco and Vapes Bill as quickly as possible and act to address the unacceptable marketing of vapes to children and young people.” A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated: “Our health advice is clear: while vapes are less harmful than smoking and can be an effective aid to quit smoking, children and non-smokers should never vape. We welcome further research on the health impact of vaping. “Our landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill will put an end to the cycle of addiction and disadvantage by creating the first smoke-free generation and stopping the next generation from getting hooked on nicotine.”