New research has confirmed there is an unmistakeable link between vaping and irreversible lung disease.

The study published by Johns Hopkins University tracked 250,000 people - and discovered that e-cigarette use is associated with increased new diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in New Zealand.

Respiratory physician and Asthma and Respiratory Foundation adviser, Dr Stuart Jones, says it's been known that vaping comes with harmful side effects - but this study provides more concrete evidence about the damage. 

"The respiratory community aren't surprised at all that this result has come out - I guess it's what we've been warning about all along with the vaping that's been going on."

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