Electronic cigarettes are more and more popular word wild. Considered a smoking cessation aid, the e-cigarette is coming back under scrutiny because of new research that suggests its flavors and additives could be just as harmful to the lungs as the traditional cigarette.
In 2016, 35% of French people aged 15 to 75 smoked tobacco, while only 3% used electronic cigarettes. In February 2016, the vaping is a tool to reduce the risks of smoking and help stop smoking for smokers. However, the institution also stated that e-cigarettes risk renormalizing tobacco consumption.
A new scientific breakthrough
In a Dailymail publication, an experiment in mice showed that additives and flavors caused inflammation of the lungs similar to or worse than that seen with traditional cigarette smoking.
Dr. Constaninos Glynos, co-author of the study, said that the adverse effects observed in the lungs of animals following their exposure to the vapor of the electronic cigarette, underline the need for further research on safety and toxicity of these rapidly expanding devices around the world.
The results, published in the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular, show that e-cigarettes and refills are not well regulated and that their long-term health effects are unknown.
The researchers therefore compared several groups of mice that had been exposed to the entire body to different combinations of chemicals four times a day, each session being separated by 30-minute intervals without smoke.
One group received cigarette smoke and three others electronic cigarette vapors containing either propylene glycol or nicotine or both ingredients with a tobacco flavor. Some animals underwent this routine for three days and others for four weeks.
Increased markers of inflammation, mucus production, and impaired lung function were observed in mice of three groups of electronic cigarettes after only three days.
Mice that received propylene glycol alone had less visible negative effects. According to Dr. Glynos, this proves that the additive causes only temporary irritation, then fades with continued use. In addition, two proteins producing inflammation increased in the group of flavors.
This means that some of the many flavoring components on the market might not be safe even for short-term use, Dr. Glynos said.
The state of the electronic cigarette groups challenged the researchers because the level of oxidative stress and cell damage in the aroma-exposed mice was equal to or greater than that of the traditional cigarette group.
Dr. Glynos added, "We conclude that electronic smoking and conventional smoking have a negative impact on lung biology. "
These findings follow a UK study released earlier this year that suggests that vapor exposure increases cell death and the production of inflammatory chemicals. Thus the ability of cells to fight bacteria was greatly reduced in people exposed to vapors.
It is important to note that the FDA has not approved e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking. Doctors and the FDA recommend evidence-based methods to stop smoking. There are many treatments and resources that can help you quit, talk to your doctor about developing a treatment plan to help you quit smoking. Remember that several attempts may be necessary to successfully quit smoking. Do not give up!
