Vaping could be worse for your health than actual cigarette smoking

Flavourings in e-cigarettes harm the lungs by triggering inflammation, scientists have warned

Vaping may be worse for your health than conventional smoking, according to new research.

Flavourings in e-cigarettes harm the lungs by triggering inflammation, scientists have warned.

The battery-powered devices are promoted as a tool to help smokers quit the habit.

But even short term use causes as much or more damage as the real thing, said the Greek team.

In experiments on mice they found the additives, including flavourings, caused lung inflammation similar or worse than that seen in traditional cigarette use.

Corresponding author Dr Constaninos Glynos said: "The observed detrimental effects in the lung upon e-cigarette vapour exposure in animal models highlight the need for further investigation of safety and toxicity of these rapidly expanding devices worldwide."

They simulate smoking a traditional cigarette by dispensing a vapour derived from liquid chemicals in a refillable cartridge that typically contain propylene glycol, nicotine and often flavourings.

Propylene glycol - a colourless and odourless additive - is found in numerous processed food and beverages. It is also used as a solvent in a number pharmaceuticals.
Glynos said: "Electronic cigarettes are advertised as a less harmful nicotine delivery system or as a new smoking cessation tool.

"Our findings suggest that exposure to e-cig vapour can trigger inflammatory responses and adversely affect respiratory system mechanics.

"In many cases, the added flavor in e-cigs exacerbated the detrimental effects of e-cig vapour."

One group received cigarette smoke and three others e-cig vapours containing either propylene glycol, both this and nicotine or these two ingredient and a tobacco flavouring. A fifth batch just got normal, healthy air and acted as a control.

Some animals in each party underwent the regime for three days (short term) and others four weeks (long term).

There was an increase in markers of inflammation, mucus production and altered lung function in all three e-cig groups - after only three days.

But those getting propylene glycol alone showed fewer negative effects with long-term exposure.

Dr Glynos, of the University of Athens, said this suggests the additive elicits only a temporary irritation that eventually subsides with continued use.

In addition, two inflammation-producing proteins became elevated in the flavouring group.

Read more of the article here:

Vaping could be worse for your health than actual cigarette smoking research claims - Mirror Online

 

Let's see what Dr. Farsalinos has to say about this...

I'm still convinced vaping is better than smoking!