Nicotine Myth Busting
Not a study or formal report as such, but I found this interview with nicotine expert Dr Jacques Le Houezec quite enlightening. Dr. Le Houezec busts a few myths surrounding nicotine and offers some advice on storage and related issues – valuable info for vapers.
Ecigs Do Not Stiffen Arteries (PDF)
Researchers from Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center in Greece have found that while smoking just 2 tobacco cigarettes caused significant stiffening of the aorta, no difference was observed after the use of e-cigarettes by both smokers and vapers. Published December 2013.
The Importance Of Flavours In Eliquids
A study headed by Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos finds flavours play a major role in the overall experience of dedicated vapers and support the hypothesis that flavoured eliquids are important contributors in reducing or eliminating the smoking of tobacco cigarettes. Published December 2013.
Second Hand Vapor Study (PDF)
A new study (Published in Oxford Journal, December 2013) shows while e-cigarettes are a source of second-hand exposure to nicotine; it’s far, far less than that associated with second hand cigarette smoke. Additionally, e-cigarette second-hand vapor did not contain combustion related toxicants tested for. Lead author was Maciej Goniewic from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y.
Smoking Kills, and So Might E-Cigarette Regulation
Gilbert Ross MD, is medical and executive director of the American Council on Science and Health. In this special report on The American, he states ”simple common sense would dictate that inhaling the fewer, less harmful ingredients of e-cigarettes as compared to inhaling the thousands of chemicals in the smoke from burnt tobacco, many of which have been shown to be carcinogenic, is highly likely to be healthier.” Published November, 2013.
Regulation: When Less Is More (PDF)
Presentation slides from Clive Bates (of the Counterfactual) concerning the dangers of over-regulating ecigarettes. Mr Bates urges positivity about the vast potential about ecigs, to put the (minor) risks in perspective and regulate as though the 1 billion who are predicted to die from tobacco related illnesses in the 21st century matter most. Presented at The E-Cigarette Summit, Royal Society, London in November 2013.
Research on Safety of Electronic Cigarettes (PDF)
Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos’ comprehensive presentation on existing data relating to the safety of ecigarettes. Presented at The E-Cigarette Summit, Royal Society, London in November 2013.
Nicotine Safety in the Context of E-Cigarette Use (PDF)
Contrary to popular belief, the fatal overdose level for nicotine may be far higher than the generally accepted 50 to 60 mg (adult) says Dr. Jacques Le Houezec. This research was presented at the The E-Cigarette Summit, Royal Society, London in November 2013.
A Longitudinal Study Of Electronic Cigarette Users
A study of 477 ecigarette users by researchers from the University of Auckland and University of Geneva has arrived at the conclusion that ”E-cigarettes may contribute to relapse prevention in former smokers and smoking cessation in current smokers” Published October 2013.
Ecigs Not A Gateway To Smoking
The study is yet to be published, but according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (October 2013), the use of ecigarettes by teens does not lead on to smoking tobacco in the vast majority of cases.
E-Liquids Shown To Have Low Cytotoxicity (PDF).
The results of testing of 20 e-liquids has revealed the majority of the vapor samples were found to have no adverse effects on cardiac cells. Even on the several that did have some effect (two of which were tobacco derived), the worst was 3 times less toxic compared to cigarette smoke. Published October 2013 in the International Journal of Environmental Research And Public Health.
Nicotine Levels Selection and Patterns of Electronic Cigarette Use
Another study from Dr. Konstantinos E. Farsalinos that concludes nicotine levels seem to play a crucial role in achieving and maintaining smoking cessation in a group of motivated subjects. The study involved 111 participants who had completely substituted smoking with electronic cigarette use for at least 1 month. Published September 2013
Vaping: coronary circulation and oxygen supply (PDF)
Recent research indicates electronic cigarette use does not affect the oxygenation of the heart. Lead by principle investigator Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos; results of the research were presented at the European Society of Cardiology annual congress in Amsterdam in August, 2013.
Eliquids: No Health Concerns
A study by Professor Igor Burstyn of Drexel University School of Public Health based on a review available data has confirmed chemicals generally found in ecig eliquids pose no health concerns. Published August 2013 (PDF).
MHRA Ecigarette Research
The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) carried out extensive research on ecigarettes, arriving at the conclusion there was little concern that e-cigarettes can harm users by delivering toxic nicotine levels and little evidence of non-smokers taking up electronic cigarettes. The link above takes you to the general page on nicotine containing products and the findings mentioned are contained in 3 documents (all PDF) here, here and here. Published in June 2013.
Dual Use – Siegel Vs. Chapman
Dr. Michael Siegel, a Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health has challenged Australia’s Dr. Simon Chapman on the topic of dual use. Dr. Chapman maintains there are no health benefits associated with smoking reduction. Dr. Siegel counters this claim – and has some particularly harsh words relating to Chapman’s attitude towards electronic cigarettes and dual use. Published June 2013.
Efficiency and Safety of an Electronic Cigarette as Tobacco Cigarettes Substitute
In a 12-month trial of ecigarettes to evaluate smoking reduction/abstinence in 300 smokers not intending to quit; complete abstinence from tobacco smoking was documented in 10.7% and 8.7% at week-12 and after a year respectively. For the group receiving the higher dose nicotine cartridges, the tobacco cigarette cessation rate was 13% after a year. The study was published on PLOS One on June 24, 2013.
Evaluation of Electronic Cigarette Use And Liquid Consumption
This 2013 study challenges an EU proposal that would result in eliquids containing more than 4 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter being banned unless approved as medicinal products. The link above will take you to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health abstract. Commentary from one of the study researchers, Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos, can be viewed here.
Cytotoxicity evaluation of ecig vapor extract
A 2013 study designed to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of 21 eliquids compared to the effects of cigarette smoke found ecig vapor is significantly less cytotoxic compared to tobacco. At this stage, the study notes are paid-access only, but comments on the study by Dr. Michael Siegel, can be viewed here. Additional commentary from the study’s lead author, Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos, can be accessed here.
Vaping profiles and preferences
1,347 vapers were surveyed in an effort to characterize e-cigarette use, users and effects. Results generally showed respondents found ecigarettes to be satisfying to use; cause few side effects; considered healthier than smoking, resulted in improve cough/breathing and lowered levels of craving. The survey was hosted at the University of East London. Published March 2013.
Ecigarette toxicants study
Levels of selected carcinogens and toxicants in vapour from electronic cigarettes have been found to be 9 to 450 times less than tobacco cigarettes in 12 brands studied; leading the researchers to conclude ”substituting tobacco cigarettes with e-cigarettes may substantially reduce exposure to selected tobacco-specific toxicants”. The study was first published online on March 6, 2013.
Ecigs – therapeutic medical device.. or not?
An in-depth look at the politics behind the push for e-cigarette regulation and the case for electronic cigarettes being neither a tobacco product or a medical device; therefore not requiring such controls.
Impact of ecigarettes on schizophrenic smokers
Researchers from the CTA-Villa Chiara Psychiatric Rehabilitation Clinic and Research center in Italy determined the use of ecigs decreased tobacco cigarette consumption in schizophrenia sufferers who were smokers – and without significant side effects. Published January 2013.