Electric cigarette harmless to health?

The electric cigarette also carries health risks

09/12/2011

Electric cigarettes are enjoying growing popularity in Germany, although the health benefits play a significant role. However, the e-cigarettes are not harmless, which is why the German Cancer Research Center could not certify a safety.

Although there are no pollutants in the electric cigarette as when burning the tobacco, the inhaled vapor may well contain carcinogenic substances. Martina Pötschke-Langer of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg is currently warning that „electric cigarettes no harmless alternative to conventional glow stems“ are.

Partially carcinogenic pollutants in the fluids of the e-cigarette
According to the expert of the DKFZ, the evaporation of liquids in an e-cigarette can also produce pollutants that pose considerable health risks, including cancers. So did the US Food and Drug Administration, FDA, for example „Tobacco-specific nitrosamines have been found in some fluids of e-cigarettes“, declared Martina Pötschke-Langer. The nitrosamines are already „carcinogenic in small doses“, warned the expert. In addition, the ingredients of the liquids to be evaporated are hardly comprehensible to consumers. According to the DKFZ expert „the e-cigarette market totally confusing“ and the composition of the fluids of glycerol, nicotine, propylene glycol and numerous flavorings for the consumer little transparent. In the end, it remains completely unclear to consumers what substances they may absorb, „because the various mixtures are not sufficiently investigated chemically toxic“, so the criticism of Martina Pötschke-Langer. Therefore, according to the DKFZ expert, the e-cigarette should not be equated with a healthy option for smoking cessation, even if advertising suggests a supposedly healthy smoking pleasure.

Even e-cigarettes pose a health risk
While it is undisputed that when burning the tobacco of a cigarette numerous pollutants arise that can be avoided with e-cigarettes. But the advertising promise of a healthy smoking pleasure does not hold the electric cigarette. When vaporizing the supposedly harmless liquids in the battery-powered cigarette can also cause extremely harmful pollutants. Especially since it is not clear which ingredients are added to the liquids. Therefore, the DKFZ expert assesses the statements of advertising extremely critically. Here a new product massively advertised, in order to tap additional sales opportunities, especially among young people and first-time users. Overall, the e-cigarette has a downplaying effect on smoking. However, even with the help of the e-cigarette, healthy smoking is not guaranteed, especially if nicotine-containing fluids are used. The expert of the German Cancer Research Center recalls the current development according to own data „fatal to the beginnings of the alcopops, with which adolescents were brought earlier to alcohol.“

With electric cigarettes and inhalers against tobacco addiction?
In general, according to the expert, both tobacco consumption and the electric cigarette should be better avoided from a health point of view. Although the electric cigarette could possibly help smokers defeat their addiction, they could in turn lead non-smokers - especially adolescents - to smoking because of their perceived safety. Evaluating the e-cigarette positively from the outset because it contains fewer pollutants than conventional cigarettes does not do it justice. Especially since the e-cigarette for anyone can be obtained via the Internet from a price of just under 60 euros, which also makes it easier for young people. A controlled distribution such as for cigarettes or when selling through the pharmacy, would be safe here. For smoking cessation are also for years in pharmacies so-called e-cigarettes for sale, but these visually far less reminiscent of a cigarette and only flavorings are evaporated - no nicotine. The e-cigarettes in pharmacies do not serve the satisfaction of the addiction but rather to distract to displace the addictive feeling. The situation is different with the inhalers for nicotine replacement therapy, which are also available in pharmacies. These are actually used to cure nicotine addiction, but look like a classic inhaler and are operated exclusively with controlled substances for evaporation. (Fp)

Read about:
Electric cigarette with carcinogenic substances
E-cigarette less harmful than cigarettes?

Our articles:
smoker's cough
Chronic Obstructive pulmonary Disease