Misleading vape research threatens public health policy, expert review warns
June 26, 2025 by clearingtheair.eu
Misleading vape research threatens public health policy, expert review warns
A 2024 meta-analysis by Glantz et al on vaping is criticized for flaws, including misclassification of diseases and reliance on weak study designs. Experts warn that such poor-quality research distorts public health policies and discourages smokers from switching to safer alternatives. The analysis's reliance on inconsistent data may overstate vaping harms, despite high-quality studies finding no serious respiratory harm in non-smokers who vape. Concerns include double-counting cases, grouping different illnesses together, and flawed methodology. The study's conclusions suggesting vaping risks similar to smoking are deemed unreliable. The editorial urges better standards in conducting and interpreting meta-analyses, cautioning against misleading data that could impact public understanding and policy decisions.
