Health experts warn e-cigarettes make people addicted and ill

Pulmonary physicians: e-cigarettes pave the way for tobacco use

Although e-cigarettes are considered by many smokers to be a healthier alternative to the classic cigarette made from tobacco, health experts warn against belittling electrical vaporizers: they can make young people nicotine-dependent and pave the way for tobacco use.

Help e-cigarettes to quit or seduce you to smoke?

The consumption of e-cigarettes has risen sharply in recent years. The question of whether the electric vaporizers seduce smoking or help with weaning, is not fully understood. Some users hope that the electric evaporators will facilitate smoking cessation. In fact, studies have shown that e-cigarettes can be helpful in quitting. On the other hand, however, it is repeatedly stated in scientific studies that they are not harmless. The German Society for Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP) also sees it that way. According to the experts, e-cigarettes, shishas and heat sticks make young people nicotine-dependent and pave the way for tobacco use.

According to lung doctors, e-cigarettes, shishas and heat sticks make young people nicotine dependent and pave the way for tobacco use. The electric evaporators should therefore not be downplayed. (Image: juneart / fotolia.com)

Less harmful than tobacco

"Smokers often use e-cigarettes as a less harmful alternative to tobacco cigarettes," writes the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg in a statement.

"However, a health benefit can only be expected with a complete switch to e-cigarettes and the simultaneous total abandonment of tobacco cigarettes," say the experts.

The electronic cigarettes are "by no means harmless".

The inhalation of e-cigarettes, hookahs and tobacco heaters is also only partially suitable for smoking cessation: This is what the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine (DGP) points out at its congress in Dresden.

One million Germans smoke e-cigarettes

As the experts write in a communication published by the "Informationsdienst Wissenschaft" (idw), in 2016 an estimated one million Germans regularly smoked e-cigarettes.

"The sweet taste of the e-cigarette and the wide range of flavorings make vaping particularly popular with young people and increase the acceptance of smoking," said the pulmonologist Dr. med. med. Peter Kardos.

According to US studies, the e-cigarette can make an entrance into conventional tobacco consumption.

"Tobacco companies are entering the e-cigarette business to improve the image of smoking and entice more young people to daily consumption," said Kardos.

Harmful addictive substances

The DGP points out that inhalation products such as e-cigarettes and hookahs are harmful addictive substances and should therefore be subject to the same legal regulations as tobacco products.

According to Kardos, based on current studies, it is not possible to assess what the inhalation of vapors e-cigarettes, waterpipes and tobacco heaters means for the long term for their health.

After the start of industrial production it took more than 30 years for conventional cigarettes, too, to determine with scientific accuracy that smoking causes lung cancer.

"Although e-cigarettes do not contain any products of combustion - the aerosol produced during vaporization also contains inflammatory, irritating and carcinogenic substances that can cause long-term damage to the lungs".

For example, another American study found evidence that adolescents who regularly vape suffer from bronchitis twice as often as their non-smoking counterparts.

In addition, most e-cigarettes contain the narcotic nicotine, which may even be carcinogenic on its own.

No meaningful hints

As the experts write is from a scientific point of view also not proven whether e-cigarettes can help with smoking cessation. A recent meta-analysis found no meaningful evidence.

Nevertheless, the industry is promoting e-cigarettes and so-called tobacco sticks (heat sticks) that release nicotine without combustion products - as a replacement for smokers.

Experts point out that Heat Sticks may even make it more difficult for them to quit smoking because they maintain the ritual of smoking. Nevertheless, many users still regularly access the tobacco cigarette.

"Those who want to quit smoking - or have to quit smoking for health reasons - should seek priority in professional cessation programs, drugs and nicotine replacement products support," said Kardos. (Ad)