Scientists from the University of St Andrews in the UK have recently published a new study on e-cigarettes that shows that compared to cigarettes, vaping is up to 99% less carcinogenic. The study, led by Professor William E Stephens, began by compiling and evaluating previous studies on the gases emitted and some types of nicotine-containing smoke. And they set out to measure the cancer risk of vaping and cigarettes along with smokeless tobacco.
This e-cigarette study comparing the carcinogenicity of nicotine-containing e-cigarette emissions with that of cigarette smoke was published on the BMJ Tobacco Control website. The results of the study were based on a 15-cigarette-a-day smoking habit with a vaping intensity that produced 30 litres of smoke per day.
“The comparative carcinogenicity rates were assessed based on the amount of smoke and vapor in the same unit. The long-term cancer risk was calculated based on the number of daily cigarette or e-cigarette uses.”
More surprisingly, the researchers note in the study's conclusion that the cancer risk from the resulting association largely depends on the vaper's usage, vaping habits, and the formulation of the e-liquid used.
Conclusions of UK e-cigarette study
Researchers have long known that vaping at too high a temperature can result in high levels of carbonyls being emitted. In the past, similar studies have been criticised for deliberately heating the vaping device to influence the final results and to support anti-vaping campaigns. The University of St Andrews has assured that this small but important detail was taken into account when conducting the study.
“Emissions are classified according to their carcinogenicity on a five-step scale from clean air to cigarette smoke. E-cigarette smoke is less than 1% and is within the medically safe range of nicotine. However, other results show that if the coil temperature is pushed too high, it will lead to a smoke containing more carbonyls.”
UK scientists also compared the cancer risk of e-cigarette and conventional cigarette smoke with HNB products. Although HNB is still in its early stages of development, its smoke appears to be safer and less carcinogenic than tobacco but not as low as e-cigarette smoke under optimal conditions.
“The HNB device sample had a carcinogenicity rate that was one unit lower than that of conventional cigarettes, but still higher than that of most e-cigarettes.”
The published findings of the University of St Andrews e-cig study also support previous scientific evidence produced by the Cancer Research UK in February 2017. In a related press release published on the Health Day website, researchers of the latter study claim vaping is up to 97% less carcinogenic.
The St Andrews University study also agrees with the findings of a study by Cancer Research UK in February earlier this year. In a related press conference on the Health Day website launch, the researchers of the latter study also agreed that Vape has 97% less carcinogens.
Read more:
Are e-cigarettes as harmful as you think?
Source: Matt Rowland - Vapes.com
Translated by: The Vape Club
