Are E-Cigarettes Harmful?

What is an Electronic Cigarette (E-Cigarette)?

Electronic cigarettes, commonly known as e-cigarettes or vapes, are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid containing nicotine to produce vapor. This action, known as "vaping," has led to the widespread use of devices with various designs. The liquid content typically includes nicotine, flavorings, propylene glycol, and vegetable glycerin.

Some e-cigarettes resemble traditional cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, while others look like pens or USB flash drives, or have entirely different designs. E-cigarettes come in disposable or refillable varieties.

The strength of an e-cigarette is determined by the amount of nicotine in the e-liquid, expressed in milligrams per milliliter or as a percentage. However, studies have raised concerns that product labels may not always provide accurate information about nicotine content.

Some cartridges contain a concentrated form of nicotine called "nicotine salts." A cartridge containing 5% nicotine salts can have as much as 30 to 50 milligrams of nicotine, which is equivalent to the amount of nicotine in 1 to 3 packs of cigarettes.

Why Do People Choose to Use E-Cigarettes?

People may choose to use e-cigarettes for various reasons. According to research, factors such as lower cost, unrestricted use in any environment, easy accessibility, a variety of flavored options, lack of an unpleasant taste, efforts to quit tobacco products, curiosity, widespread use among family and friends, the belief that e-cigarettes have fewer health effects than tobacco, the absence of secondhand smoke effects, and the intention to reduce tobacco consumption are commonly cited reasons.

Are E-Cigarettes Harmful?

In recent months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has reported over 2,500 cases of lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarettes, particularly those containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

E-cigarettes containing nicotine are not safe for teenagers, young adults, and pregnant women. The use of e-cigarettes is especially common among high school students and contains nicotine, which can harm brain development.

For non-smoking teens and adults, e-cigarette use poses a risk of nicotine addiction. This risk can lead to prolonged use of e-cigarettes, whose effects are not yet fully known, or even to starting smoking. Another rare but observed risk is the malfunction of e-cigarette batteries, which can cause fires and explosions, often when the batteries are charging.

Are E-Cigarettes Less Harmful Than Regular Cigarettes?

The CDC emphasizes that while e-cigarettes contain fewer toxic substances than the approximately 7,000 toxic chemicals found in traditional cigarette smoke, this does not mean that e-cigarettes are completely safe. The vapor from e-cigarettes contains harmful and potentially harmful substances, including nicotine, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and carcinogens. Given the harmful health effects associated with both tobacco products and e-cigarettes, not using either is the safest approach.

What Are the Harms of E-Cigarettes?

E-cigarettes are harmful to health. They contain nicotine and other chemicals, which are addictive. Since e-cigarettes were introduced to the market in 2006, their long-term effects are still unknown.

The health risks of e-cigarettes affect various aspects of health, from the lungs to the heart and dental health. The long-term effects of e-cigarette use are not fully understood, but they have the potential to increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, and negatively affect lung cells. They also have adverse effects on dental health, increasing the risk of cavities.

Harmful Effects of E-Cigarettes on the Heart

It has been shown that taking a puff from a nicotine-containing e-cigarette can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Studies also indicate that e-cigarettes can cause chest pain, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, heart attacks, hypertension, increased clotting tendencies, and impaired heart contraction function.

Harmful Effects of E-Cigarettes on the Upper Respiratory Tract

Mouth: E-cigarettes have been shown to cause oral cancers, changes in the oral flora, changes in saliva composition, tooth loss, gum disease, and tooth decay.

Harmful Effects of E-Cigarettes on the Lungs

The most common side effects of e-cigarettes on the lungs include asthma and COPD exacerbations, infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia due to the suppression of airway defense mechanisms, and cough and shortness of breath caused by airway irritation.

E-Cigarettes and Cancer

Cancer appears earlier in e-cigarette users compared to regular smokers. While the average age for developing cancer in regular smokers is 63, it drops to 45 in e-cigarette users. The most common types of cancer include lung cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, cervical cancer, skin cancer, and thyroid cancer.

EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping product use-associated Lung Injury)

EVALI refers to lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products. Although the exact cause is not fully understood, it is believed to result from exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in the vapor. EVALI first gained attention in 2019 with a series of case reports in the United States.

Most EVALI cases have been observed in young and healthy individuals. It is essential to warn and inform young people about the risks associated with e-cigarette and vaping product use.

Symptoms of EVALI include shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, coughing up blood, along with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, heart palpitations, rapid breathing, and fever in individuals who have used e-cigarettes within the last 90 days. Chest X-rays of patients with these symptoms often show widespread infiltrates, and oxygen levels are usually low. Respiratory failure may also develop in these patients.

The treatment of EVALI may vary depending on the symptoms and severity of the condition. Treatment generally includes supporting the patient's respiratory functions, controlling inflammation, and alleviating other symptoms. Some general approaches to treating EVALI include:

• Respiratory Support: Oxygen therapy is provided if the patient has respiratory failure, and in severe cases, the patient may need to be connected to a mechanical ventilator.
• Anti-inflammatory Treatments: Corticosteroids (cortisone) may be used to control inflammation.
• Antibiotic Therapy: Antibiotics may be given in some cases to reduce the risk of secondary bacterial infections.
• Antiviral Medications: Antiviral drugs may be used to prevent respiratory infections like influenza (flu).
• Fluid Management: The patient may receive fluid replacement therapy to maintain body fluids and regulate electrolyte balance.

Most cases associated with EVALI are linked to the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products. Therefore, it is essential for the patient to avoid using these products during treatment.

The treatment of EVALI is typically tailored to the individual situation. The treatment plan may vary depending on the patient's symptoms, age, overall health, and other factors. Patients should seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms or respiratory problems related to the use of these products.

Risks of Puff Cigarettes

Puff cigarettes, also known as "puff bars" or "disposable e-cigarettes," are a type of e-cigarette that has become particularly popular among young people and carries health risks. Puff cigarettes usually contain nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. Nicotine is addictive and can lead to serious health issues.

Additionally, the long-term effects of flavorings and other chemicals are not well understood, posing potential health risks to users. The lack of regulation for these products can lead to uncontrolled sales and encourage use among young people. Puff cigarette use should be carefully considered, with nicotine addiction risks taken into account.

Do E-Cigarettes Help with Quitting Smoking?

E-cigarettes are not effective for smoking cessation. Studies on whether e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking have shown inconsistent results.

The CDC reports that e-cigarettes are not approved as an official smoking cessation aid and that adults who use e-cigarettes to quit smoking often continue to use both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in helping with smoking cessation is controversial and that proven methods for quitting smoking should be preferred.

Do E-Cigarettes Cause Secondhand Smoke?

E-cigarette vapor can cause secondhand exposure in non-users because it contains toxic chemicals.

E-cigarettes use polyfill fibers containing heavy metals such as nickel, copper, iron, and chromium at 2 to 100 times higher levels than traditional cigarettes. During combustion, nickel and chromium nanoparticles are released. These nanoparticles accumulate in the alveoli, causing localized toxicity and eventually entering systemic circulation.

All these studies have shown that the number and distribution of toxic particles in the vapor produced during e-cigarette use are similar to the contents of cigarette smoke. In enclosed spaces where e-cigarettes are used, these particles are present in the room air, leading to passive exposure.

In conclusion, alongside the increasing evidence of the harms of tobacco, the use of e-cigarettes has also become widespread. E-cigarettes are harmful to health and can lead to nicotine addiction, especially in young people. The WHO does not recommend these devices as a nicotine replacement therapy.

E-cigarettes not only contribute to the renormalization of smoking in society but also lead to situations where non-smokers or those who have quit smoking start using e-cigarettes out of curiosity, or where both cigarettes and e-cigarettes are used together, undermining efforts to quit smoking. In our country, it is crucial to prevent the use and sale of illegal e-cigarettes.