Researchers warn that e-cigarettes may increase the risk of cancer, despite being less harmful than traditional cigarettes, at a time when they are increasingly popular as a way to quit smoking.
A scientific review conducted by researchers at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand concluded that e-cigarette use may increase the risk of developing several cancers, such as lung and nasal cancer.
The researchers based their study on analyzing the chemicals produced when liquids are heated in these devices and examining their effects on the body. They found that these substances may pose an "unadmissible" risk of cancer, while noting that accurately confirming this risk will take many years, as cancer can take more than 15 years to manifest after exposure to carcinogens.
Although e-cigarettes do not contain some of the most dangerous components of traditional cigarettes, such as tar and carbon monoxide, they are not entirely free of harmful substances. Levels of toxic materials, including formaldehyde (previously linked to cancer), as well as microscopic metallic particles, have been detected in them.
Other studies have also shown that e-cigarette users may be more susceptible to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a serious lung disease that can lead to impaired bodily functions.
In general, the results of a recent research paper published in the New Zealand Medical Journal confirm that e-cigarettes expose users to lower amounts of some toxic substances compared to traditional cigarettes, but do not eliminate this exposure entirely.
In this context, researchers believe that e-cigarettes may be useful as a smoking cessation aid, but they are not a safe option on their own. They emphasize that using them instead of traditional cigarettes may reduce the risk of cancer, but continued use without the goal of quitting remains risky.
For its part, the British National Health Service says that e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking and are an effective way to quit, but it stresses that they are not completely safe and their long-term effects are still unknown.
Experts warn that the availability of these devices may lead some people to use them instead of quitting nicotine completely, which could increase their exposure to harm, especially among those who combine traditional and electronic smoking.
These concerns are supported by the results of recent studies indicating that e-cigarettes may cause changes in DNA, lead to damage to respiratory tissues, and affect the balance of bacteria in the mouth, which may increase the risk of oral and lung cancer.
The risks are higher for people who combine both types of smoking, as this may increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer by up to four times, according to studies.
