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Study results E-cigarettes are not harmless
Electric cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are promoted by the manufacturers as a healthier alternative to conventional smoking. However, these also bring with it health risks, according to the indications of the German Society for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO KHC). Thus, a recent study has confirmed that electric cigarettes damage the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat. In addition, a cancer-causing effect can not be ruled out. E-cigarettes should therefore not be downplayed, the experts warn.
The trivialization as allegedly innocuous replacement for conventional cigarettes overlooks, according to the medical experts, the existing health risks in electric cigarettes. Thus, the study has confirmed damage to the oral and pharyngeal mucosa and there are also reports of respiratory irritation or allergic reactions, explains Professor. med. Martin Canis from the University of Göttingen. In addition, the researchers also doubt that the e-cigarettes are suitable for smoking cessation.
Physicians warn against belittling the e-cigarettes. (Image: tibanna79 / fotolia.com) E-cigarettes advertised as harmless
E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular, especially among adolescents, and more than two million Germans are said to have tried an e-cigarette before, reports the German Society for Otorhinolaryngology. Many would test e-cigarettes out of curiosity or in an effort to overcome their tobacco addiction. Since no tobacco is burned, there is the opinion that no carcinogenic substances are produced. Also, the liquids used would be advertised as safe. The industry points out "that the liquids propylene glycol (as E 1520) and glycerol (as E 422) are approved food additives." But they are heated in the e-cigarette to 65 to 120 degrees. "However, the safety only applies to foods that are intended for consumption," emphasizes Professor Canis.
Irritation of the respiratory tract and allergic reactions
According to the expert, the inhalation of vapors is by no means to be considered as safe. Because "the heating can create new chemical substances" and also "the liquids in addition to the carrier substances would often contain flavors such as chocolate, fruit or coffee, which should improve the taste and be inhaled." First reports of irritation of the respiratory tract and allergic reactions are already known. In addition, scientists have this year for the first time examined how liquid from e-cigarettes act on the healthy oral mucosa. For this purpose, cells from the mucous membrane of the mouth or pharynx have been exposed to various liquids containing fruit and tobacco flavors for five hours each for two hours. The team around Dr. Christian Welz from the Göttingen University Clinic for Otolaryngology then evaluated the proportion of surviving cells and the damage to the genetic material in the cells.
Damage to cell vitality and increased DNA damage
The study revealed that "every liquid tested produced a clear reduction in cell vitality and increased DNA damage," explains Professor Canis. Liquids with fruit flavors were even more cell and genotoxic than liquid tobacco-flavored liquids. Although the study results do not provide sufficient evidence that e-cigarettes cause cancer, they are a first indication. Further investigations are now urgently needed.
Even if the impact is significantly lower than that of smoked cigarettes, "the results clearly challenge the safety of e-cigarette consumption," the expert points out. In addition, the drug nicotine in the e-cigarettes as in conventional cigarettes addictive and the e-cigarettes can be consumed over a much longer period than conventional cigarettes in a row, explains Canis. Therefore, it is doubtful whether e-cigarettes can serve as a smoking cessation aid. Here, rather, the use of established means such as nicotine chewing gum or plaster is recommended. The planned ban on selling e-cigarettes to children and adolescents welcomed the experts. (Fp)