A new mouse study found that the vapor released by e-cigarettes is cancer-causing despite e-cigarette advocates’ claims that the devices are a safer alternative to cigarettes for years.
The findings appeared on January 29 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A research team at the New York University found that rodents exposed to the vapor produced by e-cigarettes for too much time showed severe damage to DNA when compared to a group of mice exposed only too filtered air.
The organs of the mice exposed to e-cig vapor were also less likely to be able to undo the DNA damage done. A separate experiment revealed that human bladder and lung cells also present signs of broken DNA after being exposed to nicotine and a substance found in e-cigarettes’ vapor.
Study authors concluded that the vapor can lead to cancer and that e-cigarette users have a higher risk of bladder and lung cancers as well as heart disease than non-users.
Smoking Is Not Healthier Either
Nevertheless, the smoke from regular cigarettes is not safe either. Multiple studies have shown that regular cigarettes release a plethora of cancer-causing chemicals which can lead to extra health troubles such as emphysema.
The latest research confirmed that e-cigarettes aren’t as bad as cigarettes, but they to can lead to cancer and pose other health risks.
Plus, current research hasn’t been able to assess the real dangers of vaping, as it can take years of observational studies to pinpoint the real risks when it comes to diseases like cancer. Additionally, such studies will be challenging as e-cigarette users are former smokers, so the DNA damage and other health problems my have something to do with smoking, not vaping.
All in all, e-cigarette users who are former smokers may find the new study rather helpful as a smaller cancer risk is better than a bigger one.
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