A recent study has raised concerns over the safety of vaping, revealing DNA damage to oral epithelial cells among electronic cigarette (vaping) users who have never previously smoked. The research suggests that vaping may not be as safe as previously thought and highlights the need for further research into the potential risks associated with vaping. The study found that DNA damage was highest among electronic cigarette users who used sweet, mint, or menthol, and fruit-flavored e-liquids. The researchers state that their findings have significant implications for public health, particularly among younger vapers, as these are the most popular types of e-liquid flavors. The study, titled “Vaping Dose, Device Type, and E-Liquid Flavor are Determinants of DNA Damage in Electronic Cigarette Users,” emphasizes the need for caution in the use of flavored e-liquids and suggests that nicotine levels were not a determining factor in the extent of DNA damage.
New Study Raises Health Concerns Over Vaping
A new study has raised concerns over the safety of vaping, revealing DNA damage to oral epithelial cells among electronic cigarette (vaping) users who have never previously smoked. The study, which was carried out by researchers from the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California, found that the level of damage caused by vaping was broadly similar to that induced from current smoking.
The degree of damage was found to increase in a dose-dependent manner, meaning that the effects changed when the dose was changed, and the effects increased with the regularity of vaping. The research, which was published in Hospital Pharmacy Europe, suggests that vaping may not be as safe as previously thought.
The Cochrane systematic review on the use of electronic cigarettes, which was published in 2021, concluded that there did not appear to be any clear evidence of harm from nicotine electronic cigarettes. However, the study recommended that a follow-up study be conducted.
Reports indicate that there has been an increase in hospitalisations and deaths due to ‘vaping use-associated lung injury’, an effect that is the result of cytotoxicity and neutrophilic inflammation caused by inhaled chemicals.
The researchers of the new study considered that an assessment of the extent to which DNA damage occurs could be used to determine the relative damage caused through vaping and smoking. The study assessed volunteer subjects and quantified the DNA damage within oral epithelial cells using a polymerase chain reaction assay. The three groups studied were: exclusive vapers (who had never smoked), exclusive current smokers, and non-smokers.
Mean levels of DNA damage in oral epithelial cells were found to be 2.6- and 2.2-fold higher among vapers and smokers, respectively, compared to non-smokers. Furthermore, the level of damage was found not to be significantly different between vapers and smokers.
These findings highlight the need for further research into the potential risks associated with vaping, particularly among individuals who have never smoked before.
Flavored E-Liquids Linked to Highest DNA Damage Among E-Cigarette Users
A recent study published in the journal Nicotine Study Research has found that DNA damage was highest among electronic cigarette users who used sweet, mint, or menthol, and fruit-flavored e-liquids. The study also found that nicotine levels were not a determining factor in the extent of DNA damage.
The researchers state that their findings have significant implications for public health, particularly among younger vapers, as these are the most popular types of e-liquid flavors. The study, titled “Vaping Dose, Device Type, and E-Liquid Flavor are Determinants of DNA Damage in Electronic Cigarette Users,” highlights the need for further research into the potential risks associated with flavored e-liquids.
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