E-cigarettes are MORE harmful than first feared, experts warn
Some effects are similar to the damage seen in smokers and people with chronic lung disease
VAPING is more harmful than previously thought, a study suggests.
Some of the effects are similar to those seen in smokers and people with chronic lung disease.
Researchers found e-cigs boosts the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body.
And the vapour kills protective cells in the lung that keep the air spaces clear of harmful bugs.
These cells should engulf and remove dust particles, bacteria, and allergens.
The scientists extracted cells from lung samples provided by eight healthy non-smokers.
Some were exposed to e-cig fluid, some to condensed vapour and some to nothing for 24 hours.
The vapour was significantly more harmful than the fluid and effects worsened as the dose rose.
Exposure to the vapour increased cell death and the production of inflammatory chemicals.
And the ability of cells to engulf bacteria was significantly impaired in those exposed to vapour.
The effects were worse when it contained nicotine, the University of Birmingham study reveals.
Most previous research has focused on the liquid’s content, rather than the effect of the vapour.
Study leader Prof David Thickett said “I don't believe e-cigarettes are more harmful than ordinary cigarettes.
Long-term use of electronic cigarettes is likely to have adverse effects
Prof John Britton, from the University of Nottingham
“But we should have a cautious scepticism that they are as safe as we are being led to believe.
“They are safer in terms of cancer risk – but if you vape for 20 or 30 years and this can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, then that's something we need to know about.”
Public Health England says e-cigs are 95 per cent safer than traditional cigarettes.
And they suggest smokers should consider switching to vaping in a bid to help them quit.
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But critics warn vaping may cause lung disease, keep people hooked on nicotine, or act as route in to smoking for kids.
Commenting on the findings, Prof John Britton, from the University of Nottingham, said: “Long-term use of electronic cigarettes is likely to have adverse effects.
“However, since e-cigarettes are used almost exclusively in the UK by current or former smokers, the key question is how this adverse effect compares with that of exposure to cigarette smoke.
“The harsh truth is that smoking kills, and smokers who switch completely to e-cigarettes are likely to substantially reduce the likelihood of premature death and disability.”
Some 7.4million Brits smoke and 2.8million use e-cigs, Office for National Statistics figures show.
The findings are published in the journal Thorax.