E-cigarettes are not suitable as a withdrawal agent

Investigations show harmful substances in the vapor mixture

21/10/2014

Steaming instead of smoke? Despite the fact that the first onslaught on electronic cigarettes is over, global consumption is still rising. More and more people resort to the so-called e-cigarette. This trend is certainly due to the increasingly widespread insight that "proper" smoking worsens the quality of life and shortens life. But even inhaling the vapor mixture of an e-cigarette is unhealthy. This is indicated by the HNOnet NRW, an association of established ENT doctors.

„From appetite suppressants and sexual enhancers to the various aroma additives, chemists have already found substances that are more likely to belong in the poison cabinet than in an inhalation mixture“, affirms Uso Walter, CEO of HNOnet-NRW. „The addictive factor should not be underestimated either.“ Some critics fear that the freely available e-cigarette serves as an entry-level drug for adolescents. As a withdrawal agent, the e-cigarette is also only conditionally. Initial studies show that the e-cigarettes were not superior to conventional nicotine patches, but make themselves dependent. In addition, the electronic glow sticks contain nicotine in an incalculable dosage. „This is due to the evaporation process inside the cigarette. So you never know what exactly you are smoking right now“, thinks Dr. Walter. Whether the alternative to tobacco smoke is healthier will not be apparent until 10 to 15 years, when results from long-term comparisons between smokers and steamers are available.

For smokers who seriously want to escape their vice, the HNOnet NRW has developed an interactive medical smoking cessation program called eQuit. It is based on current research and supports patients with tailored therapy plans during the difficult process. For example, with the help of a carbon monoxide test, ENT doctors determine the degree of dependency of patients in advance and check their motivation to quit smoking. This knowledge is used as a basis for individual measures. In order to minimize the desire for smoking, the range of medical support to acupuncture ranges. So prepared, patients with classic relapse situations can better deal and stay firm. Because the healthiest is a life without steam and smoke. (Pm)