E-cigarette less harmful than cigarettes?

Study: E-Cigarette Less Harmful than Conventional Glow Stalks

20.12.2010

The electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) has been available in Germany for several years, but has so far been highly controversial due to lack of studies on their health effects. As part of a comprehensive study, US researchers have now shown that the e-cigarette is far less harmful than conventional tobacco.

Nicotine steam instead of tobacco smoke
In the so-called e-cigarette no tobacco is burned, but instead evaporated liquid nicotine concentrate with the help of a battery and then inhaled. The electronic imitation resembles a conventional cigarette down to the last detail. The taste is simulated by flavoring and even the „glow“ starts to light up every turn. Critics complain, however, that so far the risks are not sufficiently researched and guide values ​​for the manufacturers are missing. The EU Commission has therefore decided to re-examine the approval of the e-cigarette and to ban the electronic glow sticks if necessary. However, US scientists Zachary Cahn of the University of California at Berkeley and Michael Siegel of the Boston University School of Public Health are clearly opposed to banning e-cigarettes in light of their recent study findings. It is less harmful than conventional tobacco and could allow a gradual, slow exit from addiction, said the US researchers.

E-cigarette a thousand times less harmful
In the publication of their study results in the current issue of the journal „Journal of Public Health Policy“ The US scientists point out that the smoke of a cigarette contains about a thousand times more carcinogenic substances, as the nicotine vapor of an electronic cigarette. Zachary Cahn and Michael Siegel evaluated 16 different studies on the health effects of electronic cigarettes and their ingredients for their recently published study. Although they have not always been able to determine exactly which admixtures contained the nicotine concentrate of electronic cigarettes, but this is similar to the conventional tobacco products and „Actually, we know even more exactly what's inside the e-cigarettes“, stressed Michael Siegel. The inhaled nicotine vapor with only one-thousandth of the carcinogenic substances in any case offers a healthier alternative to conventional tobacco smoke, the conclusion of the US researchers. In addition, the analysis of the studies have shown that e-cigarettes can help smokers quit. Thus, the e-cigarette can greatly reduce the craving for smoke and provide an effective substitute for nicotine patches or chewing gums, the researchers said. Because with the imitated smoking, smokers can initially maintain their habits, and at the same time more easily reduce the daily dose. Thus, in small and manageable steps, the release of tobacco significantly facilitated and the e-cigarette provides a good transition to freedom from smoke, said the US scientists.

US researchers against banning the e-cigarette
In view of their study results, Zachary Cahn and Michael Siegel strongly oppose a possible ban on the e-cigarette. This would on the one hand unfavorable for the smokers concerned and on the other hand would serve exclusively the tobacco industry, explained the two scientists in the „Journal of Public Health Policy“. According to Cahn and Siegel, the health benefits of e-cigarettes are higher than the unanswered questions raised by e-cigarette critics to this day. Their studies would provide an objective assessment of the health risks of e-cigarettes and ensure that tobacco manufacturers could not interfere with the investigation, US researchers said. Because the only ones who would benefit from a ban are „cigarette manufacturers, whose tobacco-free alternatives pose a threat to their sales“, stressed Michael Siegel. Although in the opinion of Cahn and Siegel further investigations and studies must follow in order to be able to make clear statements, a ban would be counterproductive in the estimation of the two US scientists.

Critics see risk of rising nicotine consumption
Although the US researchers have now somewhat weakened the argument of the e-cigarette critics that there were no studies on the ingredients and their effects, the opponents of the electronic glow sticks continue to rightly criticize the missing guidelines and regulations. In addition, they see, despite other evidence in the current study, the e-cigarette rather than entry-level drug and not as a means of exit. There is a high risk that, for example, young people could be baited with the e-cigarette and so the number of new consumers or the problem of nicotine consumption will be strengthened, so the concern of e-cigarette critics. A decision on the legal handling of e-cigarettes is expected in the US as well as in Europe for the coming year. (Fp)