A new study suggests that vaping THC might be worse than smoking and vaping nicotine.

Conducted by the University of Michigan and published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, the study examined the association between respiratory symptoms in adolescents who were current users of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and/or cannabis and who used vapes with THC and/or nicotine oil.

Employing survey results, researchers found that when vaping cannabis, adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 had a greater chance of sustaining lung injury through dry coughs, wheezing and other symptoms that had an effect in their speech, sleep and exercise. The extent and duration of these symptoms are unknown.

“We found, and it was something that surprised us a bit, that it was the lifetime vaping cannabis that was associated with a far greater number of symptoms and a higher likelihood of having each of these symptoms than using either e-cigarettes or cigarettes,” lead author Carol Boyd told U.S. News.

Results from the survey were compiled from December 2016 to January 2018, before the appearance of EVALI, the vaping illness that affected a large number of consumers.

Boyd explained that some of the symptoms that were reported in the survey were likely associated with EVALI, which, in the U.S., effected mainly THC vape users.

Adolescents who vaped THC adolescents had a greater chance of sustaining lung injury through dry coughs, wheezing and other symptoms. / PHOTO BY AARONAMAT / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

E-cigarettes and vapes are relatively new technologies that, while eliminating lung irritants such as smoke and paper, add a variety of elements and chemicals to the mix that are harmful and not fully understood.

As for this survey, the concluding data contradicts the common perception that vaping and smoking nicotine is worse for the lungs than vaping and smoking THC.

“In short, it is all bad, but if you also vape cannabis, you have a greater number of unhealthy respiratory symptoms than if you just smoke cigarettes or marijuana, or vape e-cigarettes,” Boyd explained.

“Without a doubt, cigarettes and e-cigarettes are unhealthy and not good for lungs. However, vaping marijuana appears even worse,” Boyd added.