Vaping instead of smoking: E-cigarettes have been popular for years. Researchers are now warning of a certain additive in the liquid. It is suspected of damaging the lungs and affecting breathing.
A new study has found that a certain flavor in e-cigarettes can be particularly harmful to the lungs. (symbol photo) Bild: Adobe Stock/ fedorovacz
More and more people smoke e-cigarettes. The reasons for this are very different. Some simply follow the trend and others want to quit smoking. What initially sounds like a healthier alternative could be harmful to your health. So far, however, there have only been a few studies on possible health damage. The previously published studies showed that smoking is significantly more dangerous, but vaping can also damage the lungs. So far, there has been little research, especially on the flavors in e-cigarettes. Now scientists from the University of Pittsburgh have examined a popular flavor more closely and found out something amazing.
New study: Dangerous liquid aroma discovered in e-cigarettes
The scientists found in their April 10 published Study found that menthol-flavored e-cigarettes can severely impair lung function and lead to shallower breathing. Compared to menthol-free liquids, the mentholated e-cigarette liquids produced more toxic microparticles in the lungs. For their investigation, they used a vaping robot. The robot was able to mimic a smoker’s temperature, humidity, puff amount and duration, while also simulating the pattern of healthy and diseased breathing in response to e-cigarette-induced lung toxicity. In addition, the researchers analyzed patient files. This confirmed that lung function differed in smokers who used mentholated or non-mentholated e-cigarettes. Age, gender, race, how long someone had smoked, and use of nicotine or cannabis-based e-cigarettes had no effect.
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Dangerous e-cigarettes: This additive can be harmful to health
In addition to menthol, other additives can also pose a health risk. A 2019 study discovered that the cannabinoid-rich liquid vitamin E acetate can also deposit toxic particles deep in the walls of the bronchi and trachea. The researchers on the menthol study consider the additive to be just as dangerous as vitamin E acetate. This has not yet been definitively proven, so further investigations are required.
“Many people, especially teenagers, mistakenly assume that vaping is safe, but even nicotine-free vape mixes contain compounds that can damage the lungs,” said lead author Kambez Benam, associate professor in the Department of Lung, Allergy and Cancer critical medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He emphasized that e-cigarettes can also pose risks. “Switching to e-cigarettes can be a better and safer alternative for someone trying to quit smoking traditional tobacco products. But it’s important to fully understand the risks and benefits of e-cigarettes before trying them. ” Especially young adults who want to start vaping should be aware of this.
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