A large clinical trial found “no adverse health effects,” adding credence to older studies.
A new study (1) has provided further evidence that vaping does not cause negative health effects, at least in the short or medium term. The trial, conducted by Fontem Ventures, a subsidiary of Imperial Brands that makes Blu e-cigarettes, involved a group of smokers who voluntarily used a harm-reduction product.
Scientists examine short-term and long-term effects
The trial followed more than 200 volunteers who had used e-cigarettes for more than two years, during which time they were regularly checked for health problems and at the end of the experiment, they had their vital signs measured. The researchers found that no one experienced serious health symptoms from using e-cigs. Some people experienced headaches, coughs, and sore throats after initial use, but these symptoms went away after a short time.
Importantly, the volunteers experienced no cardiopulmonary problems after the trial. Nicotine levels were the same as at the start of the study, and symptoms were minor and appeared to disappear after the second month.
Participants did not show any signs of weight gain, a common problem when trying to quit smoking by conventional means. The overall conclusion was that “The vapor from the electronic vape products in the study was completely normal, and did not cause any significant health effects after approximately 24 months of use.”
Funding sources can be criticized
The study may be criticised for being funded by a tobacco company, but it was actually carried out by an independent research lab. The results were analysed by a team from Fontem led by the company’s chief scientific officer Tanvil Walele, and were double-checked before being published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. The study is consistent with an earlier review by the Cochrane Collaboration (2), an internationally respected independent group. Cochrane also found no significant health effects from vaping.
(1) The study is published in full at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230017303975
Source: Fergus Manson - Vapingpost
Translated by: The Vape Club
