The preliminary results of an ongoing scientific study revealed that the use of electronic cigarettes regularly may expose its users in the long run at risk of developing dementia, heart disease, and organs, which raises questions about the safety of these electronic alternatives compared to traditional cigarettes.
The study is currently taking place by researchers from the University of Manchester Metropolitan, and is expected to be completed next March, and the Daily Mail has published its initial details.
Are electronic cigarettes a really safe alternative?
Although the British National Health Service confirmed that inhaling nicotine vapor from electronic cigarettes is much less harmful than ordinary smoking, doctors warn that it is not a completely safe option to quit smoking as it promotes, because it contains chemicals that may lead to long -term damage, in addition to the lack of adequate studies on their impact on health over time.
Electronic cigarettes work by heating a liquid that contains nicotine to turn into a vapor that is inhaled instead of smoke caused by tobacco combustion. This steam usually contains chemicals such as propelin glycol, vegetable glycer and artificial flavors, in addition to a percentage of nicotine that varies according to the product.
Although this technique aims to reduce exposure to tar and toxic substances in burning tobacco, researchers warn that inhaling this steam may have serious effects on blood vessels, because it increases the rate of heartbeat and high blood pressure, which causes blood vessels and damage to the arterial walls, which may be directly associated with serious health risks such as heart disease and dementia.
Experts fear the emergence of a new wave of lung diseases, dental problems, and even cancer during the coming decades as a result of electronic cigarettes, especially among young people who have started using them at an early age.
Damage
The study was conducted at the Sports Institute at the University of Manchester Metropolitan, where the participants underwent periodic tests to assess the elasticity of blood vessels and the speed of blood flow to the brain. Participants were chosen at an average age of 27 years, taking into account their enjoyment of close levels of fitness to ensure the accuracy of the results.
The study revealed that both smokers and electronic cigarette users suffer from damage to the arteries walls, and this loses its ability to expand, which is a strong indication of the possibility of developing serious heart and blood vessels in the future. It also showed that their blood flow was weak, and this increases the risk of perception disorders, including dementia.
Dr. Maxim Buiden, the leader of the research team of this study and a cardiac rehabilitation expert at the university, stressed that scientific evidence indicates that the damage caused by electronic cigarettes may be equivalent or even more severe than normal smoking. He explained that “traditional smoking requires igniting a new cigarette after the end of the other, while in electronic cigarettes the user can continue to inhale the nicotine continuously without realizing the amount of consumption, and this makes it more dangerous.”
“The only benefit of electronic cigarettes lies in helping people to stop traditional smoking, but the continued use of them for a long time leads to the same negative health effects.” He stressed “the need to use it as a transitional tool only, for a short period, and under medical supervision, to avoid potential risks.”
Global anxiety and government measures
In the context of government measures, the World Health Organization issued last July new instructions indicating that the evidence about the effects of electronic cigarettes is complex, and cannot be recommended as a safe way to quit smoking due to the lack of information about its long -term effects. The British government has also recently announced a single -use electronic cigarettes as of next June, in an attempt to limit their spread among young people.
On the other hand, the UK Electronic Cigarette Industry Association defended its products, as Dr. Marina Murphy, a scientific spokeswoman for the association, stated: “Millions of electronic cigarettes have been safely used for years, and all available data indicate that its health risks do not exceed 5% of the risks associated with traditional cigarettes.”
It is noteworthy that the number of cases reported for health authorities in the United Kingdom regarding side effects associated with electronic cigarettes exceeded a thousand cases, including headaches, strokes, respiratory diseases, and other health problems, in addition to 5 confirmed deaths as a result of their use.
With the increasing scientific evidence about the health risks of electronic cigarettes, the prevailing idea appears to be a “safe alternative” that needs to be reviewed. While the controversy continues, the most important question remains: Are electronic cigarettes worth all this risk?