How do “e – cigarettes” affect health?

Electronic cigarettes, or “e-cigarettes,” are modern devices that are more commonly used as an alternative to smoking real tobacco cigarettes. These products are becoming more popular with time, especially with a younger audience, and even attracting a population that has never smoked traditional cigarettes before. Cigarettes have nasty effects on health; you can read more about it here.

These alternatives to traditional tobacco cigarettes are not healthy, though. What are the effects of e-cigarettes or vapes on health?

E – E-cigarettes trade burning tobacco with the heating of “e-liquids,” which produces an aerosol that is inhaled by the same principle as tobacco smoke. This has led some companies to claim that e-cigarettes cause less health risk to the respiratory system than traditional tobacco. Besides this, the variable levels of nicotine and the different flavors that these products offer create an attractive alternative for many smokers. Still, studies don’t have enough evidence to suggest that e-cigarettes should be prescribed and used as an effective method of kicking the smoking habit, even though they can satisfy the nicotine craving.

Studies show that e-cigarettes can be safer than conventional cigarettes, but short-term adverse effects have been noted. What is also worrying is that the long-term adverse effects of e-cigarettes are still unknown because of the relatively short time these products have been on the market and the absence of research.

E-cigarettes create several damaging chemicals, among which are acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde, which can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Consuming these products also carries risks of causing or worsening asthma, lung scarring, addiction…

 It should be noted that different manufacturers can use different chemical components in their products. The regulation of these products, as well as the opinions on the levels of their danger, aren’t agreed upon worldwide. On the other hand, it’s easy to order online from abroad, and many cases of incorrect labeling to avoid regulation have been confirmed worldwide.

So, e-cigarettes could be an alternative to, or a method of quitting, smoking traditional cigarettes with less harmful consequences. Still, this requires strict industry regulation and numerous more toxicological studies to illuminate these products' health risks.

*This text is intended for informational purposes only. If you experience any symptoms, it is recommended that you seek advice from your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional.*

*Image taken from the site:https://pixabay.com/photos/vape-nature-girl-smoke-forest-4582482/

Banks, E., Yazidjoglou, A., & Joshy, G. (2023). Electronic cigarettes and health outcomes: epidemiological and public health challenges. International Journal of Epidemiology, 52(4), 984–992. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyad059

Marques, P., Piqueras, L., & Sanz, M. (2021). An updated overview of e-cigarette impact on human health. Respiratory Research, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-021-01737-5

Popova, L., & Ling, P. M. (2013). Alternative tobacco product use and smoking cessation: a national study. American Journal of Public Health, 103(5), 923–930. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2012.301070