Little is known about the effects of electronic cigarettes. A new study published in Circulation provides some additional information on the dangerousness of vaping mixed with smoking. According to the researchers, mixing tobacco and electronic cigarettes would have the same effects as smoking tobacco only.
The effects of the combination of smoking and electronic cigarettes on inflammation and oxidative stress
In France, almost 40% of vapers still smoke cigarettes daily, and 10% occasionally, according to the Public Health France barometer in 2017. So often, the electronic cigarette is seen for smokers as a substitute for tobacco or as a way to gradually quit, a new American study conducted by researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health shows that combining tobacco and vaping would have the same effects on inflammation and oxidative stress as smoking alone.
To achieve these results, the researchers used data from the PATH study dedicated to assessing the health of the population in relation to their smoking status. The latter is based on more than 7,000 adults who were recruited in 2013-2014, and who have passed blood and urine tests. The researchers thus classified individuals into several groups: non-smokers (58% of participants), vapers (2%), tobacco smokers (30%), individuals who combine tobacco and electronic cigarettes (10%) . A total of five inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers were analyzed from the samples.
Combining tobacco and electronic cigarettes is equivalent to the same risk as smoking tobacco only
After analyzing all the samples, the researchers realized that smokers and those who combine tobacco and electronic cigarettes have the same cardiovascular risk. This risk is obviously higher in these two types of smokers than in exclusive vapers and non-smokers. Indeed, markers of oxidative and inflammatory stress were similar between vapers and non-smokers.
According to one of the study’s lead authors, Andrew Stokes, “ people using both products may have reduced their cigarette consumption, but not enough to result in reduced risk “. To which he added ” Some smokers use electronic cigarettes to reduce the frequency with which they smoke. They often become users of both products rather than switching entirely from one to the other. If electronic cigarettes are used as a means to quit smoking, the cigarette should be completely replaced and a process to get rid of all tobacco products should be advised. “.
