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With the proliferation and popularity of e-cigarettes, there has been a growing number of institutions and individuals studying the effects of vaping on lungs and health.The analysis of the effects in relation to the traditional cigarette with tobacco is also particularly interesting. Numerous studies and tests have already shown that the vapor inhaled from the liquid is far less harmful than the smoke from a tobacco cigarette. Among other things, this has to do with the fact that, unlike tobacco cigarettes, there is no combustion process when vaping liquids. As a result, all harmful components of the smoke, such as formaldehyde and around 250 other harmful substances, are eliminated. But since the – erroneously – widespread opinion often still prevails that long-term studies are missing, the sometimes one-sided and incorrect media reporting in particular repeatedly causes uncertainty among vapers and potential switchers. For example, a statement by the WHO on formaldehyde in e-cigarettes, which later turned out to be a false report. A closer look at current studies and research work on electronic cigarettes and aerosols should also quickly dispel most concerns. We have looked at the most important developments for you and, among other things, compiled them in an infographic on the effects of vaping and numerous CAK articles. There are also links to the original studies and other interesting analyses.
The other question asked from the start is about the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool. As with so many things, the right answer usually comes up for each person themselves. After all, every institution tries to support its own position with the studies. That’s why it’s best to always make up your own mind. The benefit as a support for smoking cessation also depends, for example, on how much you smoked before.
“For heavy smokers who are unable to quit and who are desperate because of it, the e-cigarette is definitely an alternative. That’s clear as day. Before a heavy smoker ingests the toxic mixture of a tobacco cigarette, the e-cigarette is actually associated with a risk reduction.”
– dr Martina Pötschke-Langer (interview with Judith Hartl)
It can be said that there are currently no long-term studies on the effects of vaping e-cigarettes. However, initial in-vitro studies have shown that e-cigarette vapor is definitely less toxic than cigarette smoke, sometimes even barely distinguishable from stale air. A very big difference that is often forgotten: vapor from e-cigarettes or the aerosol can be tolerated by the body’s ability to repair and remains in the body for the most part. Also, only steam is produced if it is actively steamed. So little vapor is released into the air, unlike with cigarettes. According to current research, vapor does not pose a health risk for third parties either, in contrast to cigarette smoke. Read the full Cultex study now.
Was tested:
Aerosol of an e-liquid from Johnsons Creek (Hartland, WI, USA) with the flavor “Tennessee Cured” in zero percent and 2.4 percent nicotine strength. The listed ingredients were: “USP grade propylene glycol, USP grade vegetable glycerol, deionized water, natural flavors, artificial flavors, USP grade nicotine (not in 0.0%), USP grade citric acid (as a preservative)”
99.5% pure propylene glycol and glycerin from Alfa Aesar (Karlsruhe, Germany)
Tobacco smoke from 3R4F standard filter reference cigarettes manufactured by the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
A pleasant side effect of steam is that the air in the room is much less polluted, also in terms of smell. Perceptible odors are usually limited to the flavorings contained in the liquid.
2022: New e-cigarette studies from New Zealand
In two studies – one from May 2019, another was presented in March 2022 – New Zealand scientists are examining the connection between balanced public policy in educating about the significantly lower health risks of e-cigarettes compared to classic ones Tobacco cigarettes and the potential gain in years of life in the New Zealand population and a significant reduction in public health costs. The results make you sit up and take notice:
If smokers continue to be educated about the benefits of switching to e-cigarettes and if those interested are given low-threshold access to harm-reducing products, the population of New Zealand could save 195,000 to 236,000 years of life.
The reduction of tobacco-related diseases through a liberal e-cigarette policy could lead to savings of 1.8 billion to 2.2 billion New Zealand dollars in the state health system.
Current estimates of the relative harm of vaping versus smoking based on relevant biomarker studies were used to collect this data. This aims to model the impact of making vaping products easier to access versus banning them for 16 tobacco-related diseases.
The authors of the study urge policymakers to take their findings from both studies into account when adopting health policies to control tobacco use. The New Zealand Ministry of Health reacted and published a website, vapingfacts.health.nz, which informs smokers in a fact-based and partly playful manner using quizzes and tools such as a cost calculator about the significantly lower damage potential of e-cigarettes and recommends switching to non-combustion alternatives. Current figures prove the success of the campaign: Within just one year, the smoking rate in New Zealand was reduced from 13.7 percent to currently only 10.9 percent. Health experts like Deborah Hart, director of Action on Smoking and Health NZ, see a clear link between the New Zealand government’s promotion of e-cigarettes and the noticeable decline in smoking in the population.
The successes in New Zealand could set an international example. New Zealand health policy is based on scientific evidence. According to the well-known surveys of the British health authority Public Health England, the health risks decrease by 95% when switching completely to e-cigarettes. According to the same study, e-cigarettes even reduce the risk of developing cancer as a result of tobacco smoking by 99.5 percent. The German Alliance for Tobacco-Free Enjoyment (BfTG) has long been calling for German health policy to be based on these facts. For comparison: in the Federal Republic of Germany, the proportion of smokers in the population rose from 27.5 percent to 32.9 percent last year.
