KNUTSFORD, UNITED KINGDOM – JULY 05: In this photo illustration a woman smokes an electronic cigarette on July 5, 2012 in Knutsford, United Kingdom. Electronic cigarettes are the latest health device for smokers hoping to quit nicotine addiction. Earlier today a major security operation took place in Staffordshire, England, after a passenger on a coach used an electronic cigarette which was mistaken for something more sinister and a full scale security alert was instigated. The 48 passengers were later allowed to carry on with their journey. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Electronic cigarettes have recently been marketed and promoted as a “safe” alternative to traditional tobacco smoking, but based on recent research, this popular and growing trend could be just as harmful to your lungs and overall health. It is estimated that nearly 700,000 people currently use these electronic pens in order to quit smoking. Electronic cigarettes deliver nicotine through a vapor as opposed to smoke. Although no combustion is involved, the nicotine is still derived from tobacco. This method of delivery has been thought to be potentially less harmful than smoking tobacco. The devices are imported from China and their nicotine content is currently not regulated prior to sale or distribution. A study presented at the European Respiratory Society’s annual meeting in Vienna in February, 2012 demonstrated an abrupt increase in airway resistance leading to a lower level of oxygen in the bloodstream in electronic cigarette users. This could have dangerous effects on people with coronary artery disease who have obstructing plaques in their coronary arteries. In their small study, the Athens researchers studied the effects of the electronic cigarettes on 8 people who never smoked, along with 24 smokers-11 with normal lung function and 13 participants with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study participants all used an electronic cigarette for 10 minutes. Researchers then conducted measurements of airway resistance and lung function. All participants had a sudden increase in airway resistance which lasted about 10 minutes. Interestingly, the increase was more noticeable in smokers than non smokers, although the effect seen in people with COPD was less immediate in nature. The researchers stated that it was unclear whether this increase in resistance had any potential long term effects. The European Respiratory Society (ERS) smoking cessation guidelines do not currently recommend the use of such electronic products. A number of physicians in the ERS note that a number of brands of e- cigarettes contain high levels of nicotine which is highly addictive, and also linked to development of lung cancer. According to Dr. Klaus Lessnau, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, “tobacco cigarettes are the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the US”. He went on to state that although “electronic cigarettes cannot be recommended to improve lung health, there is certainly some degree of harm reduction compared to regular cigarette use.” Dr. Lessnau explained that there are no major studies to date, but he believed that the impact on lung cancer will be substantial. He explained that “regular tobacco products produce more than 1,000 toxic substances, many of them tar related–whereas, electronic cigarettes do not”. He believes that cardiovascular disease including myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke may not see any major impact, since there is a connection with nicotine. Although there are no major studies to date, Dr. Lessnau said that “it is very conceivable that lung cancer will be decreased”. In reality, limited conclusions can be drawn from the preliminary findings of the small study presented in this article. However, data from this study does add to growing evidence of the harmful effects of e-cigarettes. Well-established methods that can help you quit smoking such as nicotine gum, patches, and inhalers are known as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and are an advisable alternative to electronic cigarettes. Regulating the nicotine content of these electronic cigarettes is the next priority, along with their safety and quality.
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