Electronic Cigarettes Can Harm The Lungs, Says Study

Electronic cigarettes, seen by many as a healthy alternative to tobacco smoking, can be harmful to the lungs, scientists from the University of Athens, Greece, explained at the European Respiratory Society's Annual Congress 2012, Vienna, on Sunday 9 June 2012. Electronic cigarettes, also called e-cigarettes, have commonly been marketed as effective smoking cessation devices. However, doctors are currently bitterly divided as to whether cigarettes are giving tobacco companies the means to appear benign while actually "killing people softly" or are a genuine alternative offering the best chance of reducing harm from cigarette smoking. In this particular study, Professor Christina Gratziou and team set out to determine what the short-term effects of smoking with e-cigarettes might be on different individuals, including those with no known health problems, as well as existing smokers with and without lung conditions. They carried out experiments on 32 volunteers; of whom 8 were lifetime non-smokers and 24 were current regular smokers. Some of them had healthy lungs, while others lived with asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). They were asked to use an electronic cigarette for 10 minutes, inhaling the vapors into their lungs. A spirometry test, as well as some others diagnostic procedures were used to measure their airway resistance. Airway resistance is used in respiratory physiology to measure the resistance of the respiratory tract to airflow coming in during inspiration (inhalation) and going out during expiration (exhalation). They found that using an e-cigarette caused an instant increase in airway resistance that lasted for 10 minutes in the majority of the participants. Below are some of their key findings: Non-smokers - even among lifetimes non-smokers, using an e-cigarette for ten minutes raised their airway resistance to 206% from 182% (mean average); the researchers described this as a "significant increase". Current regular smokers - among existing regular smokers, the spirometry tests revealed a significant rise in airway resistance to 220%, from 176% after using one e-cigarette for ten minutes. COPD and Asthma patients experienced no significant increase in airway resistance from using one e-cigarette for ten minutes. In a separate study, researchers from Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, reported in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (February 2013 issue) that a growing number of people are using e-cigarettes to either stop smoking or cut down on their tobacco-cigarette consumption. The medical profession and scientists generally agree that e-cigarettes, if they do pose any dangers to health, are much less harmful than tobacco smoking.

What do e-cigarette cartridges contain?

The solutions are often referred to as e-liquid or e-juice. Typically, they contain hundreds of flavors. For those desiring nicotine without smoke, the solution contains nicotine dissolved in propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin - both common food additives. Experts say propylene glycol has had no serious known side effects since the 1950s when it was included in nebulizers and asthma inhalers. In fact, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), USA, includes this ingredient as one of its GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) substances. The solutions come in varying levels of nicotine concentrations, ranging from zero to extra-high (24-36 mg/ml). Some flavors, such as tobacco/menthol combinations, try to resemble traditional cigarettes. A number of them claim to mimic specific brands too. Further reading E-cigarettes were first introduced into the market in 2007 and have courted controversy ever since, with some studies suggesting they may cause harm to the lungs and others suggesting they are an effective smoking cessation aid. In July 2015 we published an article, Are electronic cigarettes safe? in which we discussed the evidence.

Smoking / Quit Smoking What are e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes)?

E-cigarettes, also known as electronic cigarettes and vaporizer cigarettes are devices that emit doses of vaporized nicotine that are inhaled. The device is battery-operated and can also emit non-nicotine vaporized solutions. Manufacturers say they are an alternative for tobacco smokers who want to avoid inhaling smoke. Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 different chemicals, many of which are hazardous for human health. Manufacturers and a significant number of users say the e-cigarette provides a similar sensation to inhaling tobacco smoke, however, there is no combustion (no smoke). E-cigarettes are long-shaped tubes, many look like the product the user used to smoke, such as a cigarette, cigar or pipe. Some look like ballpoint pens (biros). The majority are reusable with replaceable and refillable cartridges. A small percentage of products are throw-away ones - disposable e-cigarettes. The electronic cigarette first entered the market in China in 2004. In 2003, Hon Lik, a pharmacist from China invented the device. Golden Dragon Holdings, the company Lik worked for, started exporting into major markets in 2005-2006. Golden Dragon Holdings changed its name to Ruyan. The E-cigarette has various components Most devices have a mouthpiece, a heating element, a battery (rechargeable), and some electronic ciruicts. The mouthpiece - also known as the cartridge. This is fixed to the end of the tube. A smaller plastic cup within the mouthpiece holds an absorbent material drenched in liquid solution. The solution can carry varying levels of nicotine. Manufacturers refer to the mouthpiece as the cartridge. This can either be refilled or replaced with another pre-filled one when necessary. Instead of using the cartridge, the user can also use drip tips - the absorbing material is removed and drops of liquid are placed directly into the atomizer bridge. The Atomizer - this is a heating element which heats up the liquid, causing it to vaporize so that it can then be breathed in (inhaled). An atomizer needs to be replaced periodically, usually about once every 3 to 6 months. The battery and some electronic components - in most cases there is a lithium-ion battery which is rechargeable. The battery powers the heating element. The battery life depends on how often you use it, its type, size and operating environment. It is usually the largest component of an electronic cigarette. Newer versions have a sensor which automatically activates the heating method as soon as somebody sucks on the device, while others have a button you need to press when you suck. Many have an LED (light emitting diode) which tells when the device is activated.