Two studies denounce the use of electronic cigarettes, which would not help with withdrawal and would be potentially dangerous.
Is the electronic cigarette a safe way to quit smoking? The question animates debates in the community of pulmonologists and, in part because of the lack of perspective on its use. However, some research results do not argue in favor of vapers.
During the congress of the European Lung Foundation, which is currently being held in Milan (Italy), several studies were presented in this direction. One of them denounces the presence of irritants in electronic cigarette liquids.
Products that do not comply with the legislation
Researchers at the University of Crete randomly took 122 e-cigarette liquids from the top-selling brands in Europe. They analyzed their chemical composition in detail in order to detect the possible presence of products that irritate the respiratory tract.
The results are not reassuring: all the liquids contained at least one substance classified as risky by the WHO. Methyl cyclopentenolone (present in 26% of samples), and α-ionone (9%) can thus “cause allergies, asthmatic symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled”. Flavoring agents like menthol (43%) and vanillin (16.5%) can also “cause respiratory irritation”.
“Our research shows that e-cigarette liquids on the market in Europe contain ingredients that are potential respiratory irritants,” regrets Dr. Constantine Vardavas, researcher at the University of Crete, and lead author of the study. However, a European Union directive on e-cigarettes stipulates that apart from nicotine, the ingredients allowed in nicotine liquids must not pose a risk to human health, whether cold or once heated. “.
No more breathing problems
Perhaps a consequence of the presence of these products: people who combine cigarettes and vaping have more respiratory problems than exclusive smokers. This is the result of a second study presented at the same congress, and carried out by researchers from Umeå University (Sweden).
Behavioral scientist Dr Linnea Hedman and his team interviewed more than 30,000 Swedes representative of the population: non-smokers, smokers (11% of the sample), vapers (0.6%), or smokers and vapers (1.2%).
This interview showed that, among non-smokers, 26% had breathing problems. This proportion rises to 34% among vapers, and 46% among smokers. But it is most important among smokers-vapers: more than one in two (56%) complains of breathing difficulties.
“We have shown that people who combine conventional and electronic cigarettes are more often prone to prolonged, oily sneezes and coughs,” explains Dr. Hedman. It could be that smokers who already have these symptoms try unsuccessfully to quit using electronic cigarettes. But it could also be that the cumulative use of the two products increases the effects of each taken independently. “
A smokers gadget
These results do not support the validation of the electronic cigarette as a withdrawal product. Especially since the figures collected during this study suggest that it does not help to quit smoking.
She has indeed revealed that the e-cigarette was ultimately used more by smokers than by others. Almost 10% of smokers also vape, compared to just 1% of former smokers, and 0.6% of non-smokers. It is for example used by addicts to cigarettes, when they can not burn one, in restaurants for example, say the researchers.
“One of the arguments justifying the existence of the electronic cigarette is that it would allow smokers to quit. But our study contradicts it, says Dr Hedman. If this was the case, we would find many more vapers among former smokers. “
A limited study?
This double presentation tends to show that the electronic cigarette is a very poor means of withdrawal, because it continues to provide potentially dangerous products for the respiratory system and that, in any case, it does not make it possible to stop smoking. . But some may add that compared to the carcinogenic and toxic components of tobacco, the few potentially irritating products of e-liquids are not much.
On the other hand, the second study does not report the consumption of cigarettes. It is content to compare practices. It would have been interesting to look at the average number of cigarettes consumed by exclusive smokers and by vapers.
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