Electronic cigarettes: achieving a balanced perspective
This 2012 paper argues that while more research is needed on the cost–benefit of ecigs and appropriate regulation, the harms so far have been overstated relative to the potential benefits. The paper mentions a study that found of more than 2000 former smokers in this survey, 96% reported that the e-cigarette helped them to stop smoking.
ASH UK Ecigarette Briefing
Given there is little real-world evidence of e-cigarettes causing harm to date; particularly when compared to smoking, UK anti-tobacco group ASH believes if properly regulated, ecigarettes should be made available as part of a harm reduction approach to tobacco. The briefing contains various statistics related to vaping and points out between 2009 – 2011, Google searches using the terms ‘electronic cigarette’ increased
by fifty fold in the UK. The briefing is in PDF format.
E-cigarette Vapor And Cigarette Smoke Comparison
High nicotine e-liquids were vaporized in a series of experiments and the emissions compared to tobacco smoke. The study results indicate ”no apparent risk to human health from e-cigarette emissions based on the compounds analyzed”.
Is Passive Vaping A Reality?
This study sought to identify and quantify the chemicals released on a closed environment from the use of e-cigarettes – the findings? There’s little to be concerned about with regard safety. This research again confirms the type and quantity of
chemicals released are by far less harmful to human health compared to regular
tobacco cigarettes. In fact, it ”could be more unhealthy to breath air in big cities compared to staying in the same room with someone who is vaping.”
Indoor Vapor Air Quality Study
Data at Clarkson University’s Center for Air Resources and reviewed by an independent toxicologist indicates electronic cigarettes produce very small exposures to byproducts relative to tobacco cigarettes. The study has been peer reviewed and will appear the Journal of Inhalation Toxicology.
E-cigarettes: harmless inhaled or exhaled
Report from Health New Zealand stating e-cigarette vapors do not contain substances known to cause death in the quantities found.
Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (PDF)
This research acknowledges that no drug is safe, but the emissions associated with the e-cigarette brand tested appear to be ”several magnitudes safer” than tobacco smoke emissions.
Electronic Cigarettes As a Smoking-Cessation Tool
The findings of this study indicate ”e-cigarettes may hold promise as a smoking-cessation method” and that further research should be carried out.
Electronic Cigarettes Do Not Damage The Heart
Electronic cigarettes appear to have no acute adverse effects on cardiac function according to research by cardiologist Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos. He says based on currently available data, ecigs are safer and substituting tobacco with electronic cigarettes could in fact be beneficial to health.
Principles to Guide AAPHP Tobacco Policy
The American Association of Public Health Physicians recommends electronic cigarettes as a safer smoke-free tobacco/nicotine product.
Athens University Ecig Study Challenged
Dr. Michael Siegel questions a University of Athens study claiming e-cigarettes can cause lung damage.
Propylene Glycol Safe
Monkeys and rats were exposed continuously to high concentrations of propylene glycol, a common component of eliquids for periods of 12 to 18 months. Results of the research state ”air containing these vapors in amounts up to the saturation point is completely harmless”.
Effect of ecigs on smoking reduction and cessation
A study showing the use of ecigarettes substantially decreased cigarette consumption without causing significant side effects in smokers who had no intention to quit. Published in 2011 (PDF).
Tobacco harm reduction as a human right
Approximately one-quarter of all lifelong smokers will die in middle age (between 35 and 69) as a result of smoking and the authors of this 2006 paper (PDF) urge tobacco harm reduction being viewed as a human right.
Tobacco cigarette addiction – it’s not just the nicotine
Nicotine is the major neuroactive compound of tobacco, but according to this 2005 paper; on its own it has weak reinforcing (addictive) properties. It appears other compounds found in tobacco smoke when combined with nicotine produce the intense reinforcing properties of cigarette smoking that lead to addiction.”
Long-term effects of inhaled nicotine
An experiment where rats breathed in a chamber with nicotine at a concentration twice found in heavy smokers for 20 hours a day, 5 days a week over a 2 year period found no harmful effect of nicotine when given in its pure form by inhalation. Published in 1996.