E-Cigarettes are Not Flawless: Vaping May Lead to Lung Diseases

An “E-Cigarette”, according to Wikipedia is “An electronic cigarette or e-cigarette is a handheld electronic device that simulates the feeling of tobacco smoking. It works by heating a liquid to generate an aerosol, commonly called a vapor that the user inhales”.

On contrary to popular claims, e-cigarettes are not safe. A study on E-Cigarette or Vaping reveals that they may be safer in terms of the cancer risk, but they can damage immunity, disable lung cells and cause inflammation.

Smoking e-cigarettes or Vaping has been found to be an injurious practice. A research led by the University of Birmingham on e-cigarettes says that it can harm immunity; disable cells in the lungs; and cause swelling a BBC report says. Professor David Thickett at the University of Birmingham and has published online in the journal Thorax. And, the study says contrary to the popular claim that e-cigarettes are not safe.

Researchers have extracted alveolar macrophage cells from lung tissue. They exposed a third of these to plain e-cigarette fluid, a third to different strengths of the artificially vaped condensate with and without nicotine, and a third was exposed to nothing for 24 hours.

The analysis showed that the condensate was significantly more injurious to the cells than e-cigarette fluid and that these effects worsened as the 'dose' increased.

Exposure to the condensate increased cell death and boosted production of oxygen free radicals 50-fold and significantly increased the production of inflammatory chemicals.

Now, coming to the conclusion, researchers framed a mechanical device that mimicked vaping at the laboratory. Lung tissue samples provided by non-smokers were used to carry out the experiment. It was discovered that the vapour leads to inflammation and hampers the activity of alveolar macrophages, the cells that support in removing dust particles, allergens, and bacteria. The study stated the significance of further research, that was required to get a better understanding of the health impact of vaping as the study was carried out within the boundaries of the laboratory.

David Thickett said, “I do not believe e-cigarettes are more harmful than ordinary cigarettes. But we should have an alert skepticism 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, it can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,” Thickett was quoted saying, according to a report in The Sun.

However, Public Health England considers vaping safer than traditional cigarettes. It believed that e-cigarettes can help one overcome the habit of smoking and should be allowed on prescription.

Therefore, the devices that heat a cartridge of liquid nicotine into a vapor; E-cigarettes, too have pros and cons, and they could harm lung cells having similar effects resembling cigarette smokers.