Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) Vapor, even when it contains no nicotine, has been found to damage lung cells according to a study by the American Physiological Society.

Vape Pens: A Myth Busted

 

Vaporizers, or vape pens, have seen a rise in popularity since they were introduced in the US in 2007.  Many smokers of traditional cigarettes, under the assumption that e-cigarettes are a less dangerous alternative to smoking tobacco, have turned to e-cigarettes as a tool to stop smoking. This latest study breaks the myth that e-cigarettes are harmless.

According to the study, which tested cigarette smoke side-by-side with e-cigarette solution, nicotine was a factor in the deterioration of lung cells, as was expected. When tested with E-cigarette solution without nicotine, however, there was still deterioration of the lung cells due to other chemicals present in the solution, such as acrolein.

The Shocking Numbers

 

These findings are alarming when considered in relation to the number of people who have used e-cigarettes. An April article in the Washington Post entitled “High school, middle school kids now use more e-cigs than tobacco: CDC” explained that, as of 2014,  13% of high school students and 4% of middle school students have used e-cigarettes. This comes in contrast to 9% and 3% of students having used tobacco cigarettes, respectively.

More and more people are venturing into the world of vaping–whether they be high school students trying something new and “safe” or adults trying to find a “healthier” alternative to cigarettes. Therefore, this powerful study has come about at a very important time! Please share the news to help educate our friends and families.

To read the full text of the e-cigarette study and learn the findings in great detail, visit the APS.org page here.