Seduce e-cigarettes for smoking or help with weaning?

So far largest analysis over e-cigarettes shows the effects

The e-cigarette is considered controversial. Their popularity is related to a complete ignorance of the users, which health hazards they expose themselves by the steam. Now, the largest analysis to date on the e-cigarette, which showed two results in particular, has recently been published. First, there is little evidence that e-cigarettes are conducive to quitting smoking, and second, many adolescents and young adults who have not smoked before are tempted to smoke by the e-cigarette.

In the large-scale analysis, scientists from the "National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine" have evaluated over 800 studies on the e-cigarette. This evaluation was made by the "U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) tasked with clarifying the issues surrounding steam appliances. Particular attention should be given to whether e-cigarettes are suitable for smoking cessation and whether adolescents are tempted by e-cigarettes to consume conventional tobacco products. The results were published in a report by the National Academies Press (NAP).

The largest analysis of e-cigarettes so far provides many new insights into steam devices. (Image: tibanna79 / fotolia.com)

Large amount of data

The report's findings are based on more than 800 studies reviewed by experts for their scientific usefulness. This allowed the research team to draw dozens of conclusions about the health effects of e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes are probably less harmful than cigarettes

The good thing in advance: The report suggests that while e-cigarettes are not without health risks, they are probably far less harmful than traditional cigarettes. According to the report, this is due to the lower number of toxic substances. However, the long-term health effects are still unclear as e-cigarettes in their current form are not on the market long enough.

E-cigarettes are popular among teenagers

The proportion of adolescent e-cigarette users is higher than that of adults. Young adults represent the largest group of e-cigarette consumers. Men are more represented in this group than women. With age, the proportion of e-cigarette users decreases. In addition, the report shows substantial evidence that the use of e-cigarettes increases the risk of going over to smoking traditional cigarettes with tobacco.

Impact on public health remains unclear

Whether or not e-cigarettes have an overall positive or negative impact on public health is currently not apparent, according to the report. More and better research on the short- and long-term effects of e-cigarettes on health and its relation to conventional smoking is needed to answer this question clearly.

E-cigarettes can not be classified clearly

"E-cigarettes can not simply be classified as useful or harmful," said David Eaton, lead investigator of the report, in a press release on the findings. In certain circumstances, such as adolescents and young adults, their side effects should be clearly considered. In other cases, for example, when adult smokers quit smoking and switch to an e-cigarette, it offers a way to reduce smoking-related illnesses.

Nicotine intake by e-cigarettes

The report also shows that nicotine exposure to e-cigarettes varies considerably, depending on the characteristics of the device and the e-liquid. Also how a device is operated, plays a role. For experienced users, the nicotine intake is comparable to that of conventional cigarettes, the researchers explain.

Make e-cigarettes dependent?

The scientists were able to answer this question unambiguously with yes. The investigation provides substantial evidence that the use of e-cigarettes leads to signs of dependency.

Damage control by e-cigarettes

The researchers were able to show that a complete change from conventional cigarettes to e-cigarettes reduces the intake of many toxins and carcinogenic substances. A complete change can lead to a reduction in the short-term negative health consequences, emphasize the experts.

Are e-cigarettes related to cancer?

According to the report, there is currently insufficient evidence that the use of e-cigarettes is linked to an increased risk of cancer in humans or not. However, some animal studies support the hypothesis that long-term use of e-cigarettes may increase the risk of cancer, according to the scientists.

The study authors summarize

The authors of the study suggest reducing the use of e-cigarettes in adolescents by providing more education and tightening access restrictions. It also believes that the devices should be improved to allow more consistent use, providing more security for users. (Vb)