The Effects of E-Cigarettes on the Human Body
E-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a liquid solution called an e-liquid to generate vapour that is inhaled. There is a widespread belief that they are safer than traditional cigarettes, because they do not burn tobacco. However, the toxicity of e-liquids and the impact on human health of the inhaled aerosols during heating remain to be fully elucidated. In addition, the material of the device must also be considered, given that it may expose the user to a variety of potential toxic compounds including metals.
The use of e-cigarettes has rapidly increased in recent years, particularly among young people, although they are not proven to be effective for smoking cessation. It is estimated that 1 in 5 high school students now use them, and their popularity is increasing worldwide. A wide range of appealing flavours are available, and the ease of use of these products is attracting many new “never-smokers”, which is worrying considering the poor regulation of e-liquids. In some cases, mislabelling is observed and even the nicotine content can vary between different brands of e-cigarettes.
Many in vitro and in vivo studies have focused on the effect of e-cigarettes on the human body, and they have revealed that short-term e-cigarette consumption can lead to platelet activation, enhanced leukocyte function, impaired endothelial function, cytokine storm, and changes in blood pressure control and vascular tone. In addition, a number of studies have shown that the flavouring chemicals used in e-liquids can be cytotoxic and cause acute lung injury.
However, in most of these studies the toxicity of the e-liquids has not been analysed in detail. It is therefore possible that the concentrations of certain ingredients found in e-liquids are much higher than what is inhaled by smokers on a daily basis. In fact, the highest toxicity was detected in a test on human bronchial epithelial cells with a maximum of 1000 uM of some of these chemicals, which is an extremely high dose compared to what could be inhaled by humans.
It is essential that we know more about the effects of e-cigarettes, particularly because there is little evidence that they are an effective tool to help smokers quit. There are many proven methods for quitting, such as talking to a doctor or nurse and downloading a smartphone app, which can help you track cravings and understand your habits. You can also try a free text messaging program by signing up online or texting QUIT to 47848. The CDC recommends that you talk to your healthcare provider to find the best quit strategy for you. You can also ask for a referral to a quit specialist. There are many programs and services that can help you quit smoking, no matter where you live or how old you are. You can also sign up for SmokefreeTXT to get support from a quit coach right on your phone. This is a great way to get support and help you stay on track. 電子煙