Key Findings From A Report Combining Over 800 Studies On Vaping
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have published a report that combines over 800 studies to provide some conclusions on vaping. The report considers the health impact of vaping compared to smoking, as well as effects in society: using e cigarettes is advantageous for adults trying to quit smoking but can be a pathway for teens to start using conventional cigarettes.
Here’s a summary of the 11 key findings via Business Insider:
- There’s a higher risk of young people using cigarettes after vaping compared to those that don’t vape (substantial evidence)
- The amount of nicotine you’re exposed to from vaping varies greatly based on the device and e-liquid that you use (conclusive evidence)
- With the exception of nicotine, vaping exposes you to far fewer potentially toxic substances (substantial evidence)
- Vapers can result in symptoms of dependence (substantial evidence) but the risk is lower than it is for cigarettes (moderate evidence)
- Switching from cigarettes to e-cigs reduces the exposure to toxins and cancer causing agents (conclusive evidence), and completely switching reduces short-term negative effects in organs like the heart and lungs (substantial evidence)
- Studies in animals (not yet in humans) suggest that long-term vaping can increase the risk of cancer (limited evidence)
- Teens that vape may see increased coughing, wheezing, and worsened athsma symptoms (moderated evidence)
- No evidence available whether or not vaping effects pregnancy or fetal development
- Vaping does increase airborne concentration of key pollutants and nicotine indoors (conclusive evidence), however, second-hand exposure to nicotine and pollutants is lower from e-cigs
- E-cigs can explode and cause serious injury (conclusive evidence)
- Exposing yourself to e-liquids e.g. drinking or touching can lead to seizures, brain injury and/or vomiting (conclusive evidence)
The above is just a summary, and we recommend that you check out this article from the Business Insider which addresses each of the points in more detail:
