Smoking and Vaping Weed Linked to Higher Asthma Attack Risk in Young Adults, Study Finds

Smoking or vaping cannabis significantly increases the risk of asthma attacks among young adults, according to a new study published in the journal Chest. Researchers found that young adults who used marijuana through inhalation had 57% to 81% higher odds of experiencing an asthma attack compared to non-users.

The study, led by Dr. Eric Mortensen, chief of general internal medicine at UConn Health in Farmington, Connecticut, analyzed data from nearly 4,500 participants aged 18 to 34 years who were part of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study. The research tracked marijuana use and asthma attacks over a one-year period.

Among the participants, 17% reported smoking cannabis in the past 12 months, 9% reported vaping it, and nearly 11% reported doing both. About 5% of all surveyed individuals experienced at least one asthma attack during the study period.

Those who smoked cannabis had a 64% increased risk of asthma attacks, while those who vaped cannabis had 81% higher odds. Individuals who both smoked and vaped cannabis had a 57% increased risk. The findings indicate that inhaling marijuana products—whether through smoking or vaping—is significantly linked to a greater likelihood of asthma attacks in young adults.

Researchers noted that most cannabis users in the United States are young adults, with 35% of those aged 18 to 25 reporting regular use, compared to 22% of those aged 26 and older. The study highlights a growing public health concern as cannabis use becomes more prevalent among younger populations.

The analysis accounted for various demographic factors, including age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Participants were 62.17% aged 18–24 years, 48.97% male, and represented diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds: 67.42% White, 17.74% Black, and 18.86% Hispanic/Latino.

About one in five participants were on prescribed asthma medication at the start of the study. Researchers measured asthma control using the Asthma Control Test (ACT), finding that those who reported asthma attacks had lower average scores (20.02) compared to those who did not experience attacks (23.09), indicating poorer asthma control among affected individuals.

The study builds on previous research linking cannabis use to respiratory issues, with some earlier findings suggesting that the risk of asthma increases with higher frequency of cannabis use. However, the authors emphasize that their findings show an association, not necessarily causation, and call for further research to better understand the biological mechanisms involved.

As cannabis legalization expands across more states, health officials suggest that these findings underscore the importance of educating young adults about potential respiratory risks associated with inhaling marijuana products, particularly for those with preexisting asthma or heightened susceptibility to airway irritation.