Is vaping causing a new wave of sleep disorders?

Science of sleep shows electronic cigarettes can cause insomnia, and how technology may be able to help

A rise in the use of electronic cigarettes could result in people failing to get enough sleep. Getty Images

Increasing use of e-cigarettes could be responsible for more people failing to get the recommended hours of sleep, with doctors suggesting young people may be unaware vapes contain high levels of the addictive stimulant nicotine.

A survey of 950 people in the UAE last year found 40 per cent of people were not getting the recommended six to eight hours of sleep each night.

While increased use of screens is also contributing, those using e-cigarettes before bed are also likely to have disrupted rest.

Last year, data from the US Centres for Disease Control found that 1.63 million students used e-cigarettes, about six per cent of all young people, with similar trends reported elsewhere.

Doctors at the Mansheyet El Bakry General Hospital in Cairo looked at multiple global studies to assess how likely e-cigarettes were responsible for poor sleep and the level of understanding among young people.

Most studies were conducted in the US, with the University of Cincinnati concluding e-cigarette users were at increased odds of reporting insufficient sleep when compared with non-smokers and cigarette smokers.

Similar results were found by the University of Texas, which evaluated the sleep patterns of 28,135 adolescents.

Researchers found those using electronic vaping products were 1.33 times more likely to have less than the recommended eight hours sleep, than non-users.

Sleep deprivation over the long term can lead to multiple health problems, from weakening immunity to weight gain and cardiovascular disease.

Dr Amr El-Qushayri, an ear, nose and throat resident at Mansheyet El Bakry General Hospital in Cairo, looked at the association between sleep and e-cigarettes and said anxiety, mood and nicotine dose can all cause insomnia.

“We know that nicotine is a stimulant, but many users do not know that e-cigarettes contain different levels of nicotine, which is also addictive,” he said. “Some younger generations do not know anything about that, which is a major problem. Frequent e-cigarette use is associated with different respiratory disorders that can significantly impact your sleep behaviour.”

“A large amount of nicotine levels before sleep is associated with brain stimulation and reduces the need for sleep, he added. “Moreover, when you sleep, your body may need an extra dose of nicotine that may make you wake up during the night for a nicotine dose.”

Healthy sleep

According to the US National Sleep Foundation, average healthy sleeping hours for adults range from seven to nine each night.

However, Dr El-Qushayri said a healthy level of sleep varies between people. “It depends on your lifestyle, your age, sex and if you have any underlying health conditions,” he said. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach for healthy sleep. The modern use of screens and social media are also common factors that impact sleep patterns.”

Insomnia has become a symptom of modern life, with more screen time and exposure to blue light stimulation from electronic devices contributing to insomnia. Research in the UAE conducted by Premier Inn Middle East in 2024 found a third of survey respondents had irregular sleep schedules, while 41 per cent failed to sleep for more than six hours a night.

Sleep is a critical part of growth in young people, and the body’s ability to maintain and repair in adults. The American NSF suggests newborns require 14-17 hours of sleep a day, with toddlers in need of between 11 and 14 hours for healthy development. Older children aged 3-5 are recommended 10-13 hours, while those aged 6-13 should be getting 9-11 hours for optimum physical and mental health.

As we age, generally, the amount of sleep required tends to decrease. Teenagers should be aiming for 8-10 hours, with those over 65 requiring even less sleep, around seven hours.

Poor sleep is a global issue, with researchers looking for alternatives to pharmaceutical solutions which can be expensive and carry side effects.

Non-drug alternatives to sleep well

At Flinders University in Adelaide, scientists said more GPs and psychologists should encourage non-drug options, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia.

CBT is a commonly used psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems, including depression and anxiety.

Chronic insomnia is reported in about 10-15 per cent of Australian adults at any given time, said Dr Alexander Sweetman, a researcher at the university, and Clinical Sleep Technician at Flinders Medical Centre, in South Australia.

“Sleep problems are among the most common reasons patients present to their doctor in Australia,” said Dr Sweetman. “Sleeping pills are still the mainstay management option for insomnia, despite a lot of evidence suggesting that behavioural treatments are much more effective in the long-term. CBT is the most effective and recommended first-line treatment for insomnia because it treats the underlying causes of long-term insomnia without drugs and hundreds of scientific studies have demonstrated its effectiveness.”

Technology is also playing an ever-growing role in the science of sleep. Health and fitness trackers offer a gateway to knowledge about personal sleeping trends, so adjustments and improvements can be made accordingly.

Eight Sleep, a sleep fitness company, recently expanded into the UAE offering its Pod technology to offer one potential solution.

Dr Elie Abirached, founder of Limitless Human and Restore Fitness, said technology can help improve sleep quality and health. Photo: Eight Sleep

It includes a smart mattress cover with advanced artificial intelligence to learn personal sleeping habits, as health-grade sensors automatically adjust cooling, heating, and elevation for optimal sleep.

“With the ability to personalise your sleep environment, it adapts to your needs in real time, helping you refine your quality of rest to stay in deep sleep for longer,” said Dr Elie Abirached, a Dubai-based expert in biohacking and longevity and founder of Limitless Human and Restore Fitness.

The Pod also tracks sleep fitness metrics – including heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and sleep stages – without requiring a wearable device.

“The UAE is making big strides in health and wellness, with Dubai becoming a central player in that growth,” said Matteo Franceschetti, the company’s co-founder and chief executive. “People here are becoming more focused on their health and are seeking better sleep solutions to improve their daily performance.”

Technology solution comes at a price

The technology has already been used by tech millionaires and professional sportsmen and women, to improve rest and maximise athletic performance, including F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg and longevity guru Brian Johnson.

However, the cost of the technology may keep you up at night, with pods starting from Dh9,599.

Meanwhile, technology firm Bon Charge conducted research in the UAE to understand the demand for sleep improvement technology.

It asked 1,000 people about their sleep habits and found that 67 per cent of people struggled to get enough sleep, while 70 per cent of those asked had tried Red Light Therapy to either improve their sleep or overall health.

The technology aims to stimulate melatonin – a naturally occurring sleep hormone released at night – via red light wavelengths. The therapy is typically delivered through a face mask, or hand-held device, which costs about Dh1800.

View of the red light therapy room at the Urban Playground, a sports and fitness centre under a solar rooftop at the Apex Atrium building in Motor City in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

“The UAE continues to establish itself as a global hub for longevity and wellness, with an impressive adoption of cutting-edge, science-backed solutions like red light therapy,” said Dr Cherine Bazzane, a Dubai-based family doctor, who also specialises in anti-ageing therapies. “These study findings not only highlight the growing demand for non-invasive, at-home technologies that empower individuals to prioritise wellness anywhere, anytime but also show how innovative wellness solutions can help address sleep challenges.”