For the first time, a study has found that vaping causes DNA damage similar to traditional cigarettes

The different types of Electronic cigarettes were promoted as an alternative to traditional products with the tobacco and less harmful to the Human health.

However, a study by the University of Southern California School of Medicine in the UNITED STATESprovided new evidence showing that e-cigarettes have consequences negative for health long-term.

Around the world, different electronic cigarettes are used, also called “electronic nicotine delivery systems”. Now, researchers have found that vapers and smokers have similar levels of DNA damage, more than double that of non-smokers.

These systems heat a liquid to create aerosols that are inhaled by the user. So-called e-liquids may or may not contain nicotine (but not tobacco), although they also often contain additives, flavorings and chemicals that can be toxic to people’s health, warned the World Health Organization (WHO).

We also know that the nicotine create a strong addiction. A non-smoker who uses e-cigarettes may become addicted to nicotine and have difficulty quitting the device or become addicted to conventional tobacco products, according to the UN health agency.

The team of researchers Stella Tommasi, Hannah Blumenfeld and Ahmad Besaratinia from American University studied the DNA effects of people who vaped compared to those who used traditional cigarettes in similar healthy adults. The study was published in the specialist journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.

They included “exclusive” vapers (i.e., those who have never smoked traditional cigarettes), cigarette-only smokers, and people who do not vape or smoke, matched for age, gender and ethnicity.

After the biochemical verification of the state of vaping or smoking, they quantified the damage in the DNA of the superficial cells of the mouth of the volunteers thanks to a study with PCR.

“Significantly higher levels of DNA damage were detected in vapers and smokers compared to non-users. While mean levels of DNA damage did not differ significantly between vapers and smokers, harm levels increased in a dose-dependent manner from light to heavy users, in both vapers and smokers, compared to non-users,” the researchers stated in their report.

The study also found that among vapers, users of pods (a very small type of electronic cigarette), followed by users of mods (they come with a battery), and those who used candy flavored e-liquids , mint or menthol and fruit, respectively, showed the higher levels of DNA damage.

“This is the first demonstration of dose-dependent DNA damage formation in vapers who have never smoked cigarettes,” the scientists commented.

“Our data support the role of product characteristics, particularly device type and e-liquid flavor, in inducing DNA damage in vapers. Given the popularity of pod devices and mods and the preference for sweet, mint or menthol and fruit flavored e-liquids among adult and youth vapers, our findings could have important public health implications. and tobacco product regulation,” they said.

consulted by GlobeLiveMediaJulieta Cassone, a psychiatrist, former president of the Argentine Tobacco Association and coordinator of the smoking cessation program at the Mental Health Forum Foundation, said it was “an excellent survey”.

The published study “demonstrates for the first time the DNA damage produced by electronic cigarettes in their users. Because people who only used e-cigarettes had DNA damage in their cells similar to that of regular cigarette smokers.”

After learning of the discovery, Dr. Cassone felt, “Once again we conclude that e-cigarettes produce both short-term and long-term harm. We have more and more studies that prove this.” Therefore, quitting tobacco and e-cigarettes or not starting their use is the best measure to prevent disease.

Meanwhile, Brunilda Casetta, doctor and coordinator of the smoking cessation program at CEMIC in Buenos Aires, pointed out during a dialogue with GlobeLiveMedia the contribution of the new study. “They detected significantly higher levels of DNA damage in vapers and smokers compared to those who did not use any tobacco product. In turn, the average levels of DNA damage were similar between vapers and smokers, and this harm increased with dose, worsening with greater vaping and cigarette consumption,” he commented.

People who used mint, menthol or fruit-flavored liquids had the highest levels of DNA damage in the additives, Casetta said. He also explained that “DNA damage is usually linked to serious diseases, mainly cancer. Oral cancer was first seen in pipe smokers in the past and later in cigarettes.

“What this paper demonstrates,” Casetta said, “are similar initial DNA changes in smokers and vapers. If this exposure is frequent and sustained, the use of electronic cigarettes could also promote the development of a disease such as cancer. Considering the health risks, the best decision is not to smoke or vape.

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