Electronic Cigarettes contain toxic chemicals

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Jakemaheu

A recent report has revealed that the popular new Electronic Cigarette may be just as harmful as regular tobacco.

Following plans to ban Electronic Cigarettes from public places in France, the National Consumers Institute have released a report which suggest that the smoking alternative contains damaging chemicals.

The institute tested ten of the most popular brands of Electronic Cigarettes, concluding that a large amount of carcinogenic chemicals are present in most of the brands.  Of the ten rechargeable and disposable models tested, it was found that at least three presented the highly toxic molecule Acrolein. High levels of the toxicant exist in the vapours of the Electronic Cigarette, and in some cases presenting levels close to those of the conventional cigarette.

The devices contain liquid nicotine that is turned into vapour when inhaled. Although the gadgets are branded as a smoking alternative that provides nicotine to the user, the levels of Acrolein have remained unreported until now.

The E-cigarette was invented in China following the smoking ban that was implemented throughout various nations,. The aim was to create a smoking alternative that provided the user with a similar experience to smoking.

Dr. Jose Ayala offers a free smoking cessation service in The Liberties as part of the ‘Quit’ campaign and is concerned that the Electronic Cigarette has yet to be regulated.

“Electronic cigarettes are currently unregulated and there is no proven evidence based research that they are either safe or effective. They contain nicotine delivered in unknown amounts as well as other unknown additives. Therefore we cannot currently recommend these products to smokers as a safe alternative if they want to quit”.

Health experts around the world have publicly voiced their concerns at how the unconventional method may have the opposite effect than was originally intended. However, one such expert, Professor Bertrand Dauzenberg, believes that it will still help to reduce the health risks for heavy smokers.

“Perhaps these uncertainties are preferable to certain risks of tobacco, which kills 50% of its consumers,” he commented.

Photo: Jakemaheu