Are electronic cigarettes a healthier alternative to conventional tobacco smoking?

2018 ◽  
Vol 276 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Löhler ◽  
Barbara Wollenberg
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes

Objective assessment of nasal resistance among electronic cigarette users

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
S W Lim ◽  
AB Zulkiflee
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Airway Resistance ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nasal Airway ◽  
Nasal Resistance ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Nasal Airway Resistance

Abstract Background Electronic cigarettes have been a popular alternative to tobacco smoking. The effect of tobacco smoking on nasal airway resistance has been investigated before; however, the effect of the aerosol generated by electronic cigarettes is still unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of e-cigarettes on nasal airway resistance. Methods Sixty-one participants were recruited into a vapers group and a control group. The vapers group was instructed to smoke for 5 minutes, and their nasal resistance was measured pre-procedure and at 1 and 5 minutes post-procedure. The results were compared between both groups. Results Repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated that vaping has no statistically significant effect on total nasal airway resistance. Conclusion Although the differences between both groups were not statistically significant overall, the vapers group showed a reduction in nasal airway resistance in the short term.

scholarly journals Exosomal microRNAs are novel circulating biomarkers in cigarette, waterpipe smokers, E-cigarette users and dual smokers

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kameshwar P. Singh ◽  
Krishna P. Maremanda ◽  
Dongmei Li ◽  
Irfan Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Differential Expression ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Dna Analysis ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Differential Expression Analysis ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Cigarette Smokers ◽  
Non Coding Rnas

Abstract Background Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) vaping, cigarette smoke, and waterpipe tobacco smoking are associated with various cardiopulmonary diseases. microRNAs are present in higher concentration in exosomes that play an important role in various physiological and pathological functions. We hypothesized that the non-coding RNAs transcript may serve as susceptibility to disease biomarkers by smoking and vaping. Methods Plasma exosomes/EVs from cigarette smokers, waterpipe smokers and dual smokers (cigarette and waterpipe) were characterized for their size, morphology and TEM, Nanosight and immunoblot analysis. Exosomal RNA was used for small RNA library preparation and the library was quantified using the High Sensitivity DNA Analysis on the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer system and sequenced using the Illumina NextSeq 500 and were converted to fastq format for mapping genes. Results Enrichment of various non-coding RNAs that include microRNAs, tRNAs, piRNAs, snoRNAs, snRNAs, Mt-tRNAs, and other biotypes are shown in exosomes. A comprehensive differential expression analysis of miRNAs, tRNAs and piRNAs showed significant changes across different pairwise comparisons. The seven microRNAs that were common and differentially expressed of when all the smoking and vaping groups were compared with non-smokers (NS) are hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-29b-3p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-143-3p, hsa-miR-30a-5p and hsa-let-7i-5p. The e-cig vs. NS group has differentially expressed 5 microRNAs (hsa-miR-224-5p, hsa-miR-193b-3p, hsa-miR-30e-5p, hsa-miR-423-3p, hsa-miR-365a-3p, and hsa-miR-365b-3p), which are not expressed in other three groups. Gene set enrichment analysis of microRNAs showed significant changes in the top six enriched functions that consisted of biological pathway, biological process, molecular function, cellular component, site of expression and transcription factor in all the groups. Further, the pairwise comparison of tRNAs and piRNA in all these groups revealed significant changes in their expressions. Conclusions Plasma exosomes of cigarette smokers, waterpipe smokers, e-cig users and dual smokers have common differential expression of microRNAs which may serve to distinguish smoking and vaping subjects from NS. Among them has-let-7a-5p has high sensitivity and specificity to distinguish NS with the rest of the users, using ROC curve analysis. These findings will pave the way for the utilizing the potential of exosomes/miRNAs as a novel theranostic agents in lung injury and disease caused by tobacco smoking and vaping.

Electronic cigarettes: weighing up the evidence

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 288-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Cope
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Young People ◽  
Replacement Therapy ◽  
Nicotine Replacement Therapy ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Potential Harm ◽  
Cautious Approach ◽  
Worrying Trend ◽  
Limited Period

Electronic cigarettes have been evaluated and assessed as a smoking cessation tool; however, as Graham Cope explains, a more cautious approach may be needed and users should be made aware of the potential harm of these devices Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been evaluated to assess their safety and value as a smoking cessation tool. They were deemed to be a safer alternative to tobacco smoking. The vapour emitted was regarded as harmless and that society's attitudes should change to encourage these devices into everyday use, and therefore the regulations should be relaxed to assist the decline of tobacco smoking. However, a more cautious approach argues that nicotine replacement therapy should be used first, and only after that fails should smoking e-cigarettes, known as vaping, be done at low strength and for a limited period. Users should be made aware that nicotine from e-cigarettes could be harmful and the increasing use of attractive forms of vaping by young people is a worrying trend.

scholarly journals Electronic Cigarettes for Curbing the Tobacco-Induced Burden of Noncommunicable Diseases: Evidence Revisited with Emphasis on Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jobert Richie N. Nansseu ◽  
Jean Joel R. Bigna
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Noncommunicable Diseases ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Never Smokers ◽  
Second Hand Smoking ◽  
And Control

Introduction. This review examines whether electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) implementation or vulgarization in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) could be helpful in curtailing the toll of tobacco smoking in the region. Discussion. There are about 1.3 billion smokers worldwide, with nearly 80% of them living in developing countries where the burden of tobacco-related illnesses and deaths is the heaviest. Studies report that e-cigs may facilitate smoking cessation, reduction, or abstinence and may pose only a small fraction of the risks of traditional tobacco cigarettes; e-cigs may also considerably reduce second-hand smoking. Thereby, implementation of e-cig use could help to substantially reduce the burden driven by tobacco smoking in SSA, in a particular context of lack of regulations and control policies towards this threat. However, the evidence is not clear on whether e-cigs are risk-free, especially if used in the long term. Conclusions. On the whole, if e-cigs were to be introduced in SSA, they should be strictly recommended to current and/or ex-smokers as a method to quit smoking or prevent relapse and never-smokers should be strongly encouraged to avoid using these devices. Bans on sales of e-cigs to youngsters should be legislated, e-cig advertisements prohibited, and their usage continuously controlled and monitored.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Distribution and Basic Directions of Prevention of Tobacco Smoking in Schoolchildren aged 11-17 (Regional Aspect)

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 349-354
Author(s):  
H. O. Latina ◽  
◽  
H. L. Zaikina
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Specific Weight ◽  
Pharmacological Therapy ◽  
Tobacco Prevention ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Intersectoral Cooperation ◽  
Regional Aspect ◽  
Life Path

The relevance of the study is determined by the development of preventive measures regarding bad habits in the younger generation, based on estimates of the prevalence of smoking depending on the region of Ukraine. The purpose of research was to assess the prevalence of smoking and to develop areas of prevention among adolescents 11-17 years old. Material and methods. Estimation of the prevalence of smoking among students in secondary schools in Sumy was carried out as a part of the regular Global Survey of adolescents in accordance with the WHO global tobacco control system. The study involved 1557 adolescents 11-17 years old (grades 5-11) in 2018. Results and discussion. As a result of the survey, the absence of significant differences in the specific weight of the answers of those wishing to try smoking (54.08%) and those who do not aspire to such an attempt (45.92%) was found. The age of the first attempt to smoke is 12-13 years (26.87%). A lack of smoking habits was found in 69.68% of respondents as opposed to 8.6%. The “dangerous” smoking spots for teens are the house, the house of friends, parties and the street. Unfortunately, modern teens begin to smoke other forms of tobacco besides cigarettes (11.62%); have a high awareness of electronic cigarettes (90.42%). The prevalence of tobacco smoking is 17.36%, which is 9.34% less than the prevalence rate in 2013, which indicates a downward trend in smoking among adolescents 11-17 years old. In addition to preventive measures to combat the spread of smoking, scientists are also working on programs to get rid of this bad habit and, according to S. Kalkhoran et al. should be used, along with behavioral support, pharmacological therapy to get rid of the bad habit. The following measures should be actively used: Quit-line - targeted programs for smokers; development of preventive measures based on the assessment of the causes of smoking; intersectoral cooperation in the creation and implementation of educational programs on tobacco prevention (doctors, teachers, psychologists, social educators); change the form of providing information on nicotine addiction, the dangers of smoking, the need to quit the habit, steps to overcome addiction; additionally introduce measures on the motivational and value attitudes of modern humanity (negative perception of the smoker by society, a healthy able-bodied person - the path to success and prosperity, etc.); develop preventive measures to prevent smoking of other forms of tobacco; to strengthen the psychological support of prevention measures in the direction of finding the personality of the adolescent, the uniqueness of the choice of future life path, professions, hobbies; to introduce training in economics "Planning your own budget". Conclusion. The development of preventive measures in the fight against smoking, today, should include a transfer of hygienic, psychological, pedagogical, medical measures to search for new methods of reporting information about the dangers of smoking, gaining experience in non-smoking and getting rid of bad habits

scholarly journals Electronic cigarettes and health with special focus on cardiovascular effects: position paper of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC)

2020 ◽  
pp. 204748732094199
Author(s):  
Maryam Kavousi ◽  
Charlotta Pisinger ◽  
Jean-Claude Barthelemy ◽  
Delphine De Smedt ◽  
Konstantinos Koskinas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
European Association ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Cardiovascular Effects ◽  
Position Paper ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Preventive Cardiology ◽  
The Impact

Background Tobacco use is the single largest preventable risk factor for premature death of non-communicable diseases and the second leading cause of cardiovascular disease. In response to the harmful effects of tobacco smoking, the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has emerged and gained significant popularity over the past 15 years. E-cigarettes are promoted as safe alternatives for traditional tobacco smoking and are often suggested as a way to reduce or quit smoking. However, evidence suggests they are not harmless. Discussion The rapid evolution of the e-cigarette market has outpaced the legislator’s regulatory capacity, leading to mixed regulations. The increasing use of e-cigarettes in adolescents and young individuals is of concern. While the long-term direct cardiovascular effects of e-cigarettes remain largely unknown, the existing evidence suggests that the e-cigarette should not be regarded as a cardiovascular safe product. The contribution of e-cigarette use to reducing conventional cigarette use and smoking cessation is complex, and the impact of e-cigarette use on long-term cessation lacks sufficient evidence. Conclusion This position paper describes the evidence regarding the prevalence of e-cigarette smoking, uptake of e-cigarettes in the young, related legislations, cardiovascular effects of e-cigarettes and the impact of e-cigarettes on smoking cessation. Knowledge gaps in the field are also highlighted. The recommendations from the population science and public health section of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology are presented.

scholarly journals Effects of tobacco smoke and electronic cigarette vapor exposure on the oral and gut microbiota in humans: a pilot study

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4693 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Stewart ◽  
Thomas A. Auchtung ◽  
Nadim J. Ajami ◽  
Kenia Velasquez ◽  
Daniel P. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Alpha Diversity ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Buccal Swabs ◽  
Significant Difference

BackgroundThe use of electronic cigarettes (ECs) has increased drastically over the past five years, primarily as an alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes. However, the adverse effects of acute and long-term use of ECs on the microbiota have not been explored. In this pilot study, we sought to determine if ECs or tobacco smoking alter the oral and gut microbiota in comparison to non-smoking controls.MethodsWe examined a human cohort consisting of 30 individuals: 10 EC users, 10 tobacco smokers, and 10 controls. We collected cross-sectional fecal, buccal swabs, and saliva samples from each participant. All samples underwent V4 16S rRNA gene sequencing.ResultsTobacco smoking had a significant effect on the bacterial profiles in all sample types when compared to controls, and in feces and buccal swabs when compared to EC users. The most significant associations were found in the gut, with an increased relative abundance ofPrevotella(P= 0.006) and decreasedBacteroides(P= 0.036) in tobacco smokers. The Shannon diversity was also significantly reduced (P= 0.009) in fecal samples collected from tobacco smokers compared to controls. No significant difference was found in the alpha diversity, beta-diversity or taxonomic relative abundances between EC users and controls.DiscussionFrom a microbial ecology perspective, the current pilot data demonstrate that the use of ECs may represent a safer alternative compared to tobacco smoking. However, validation in larger cohorts and greater understanding of the short and long-term impact of EC use on microbiota composition and function is warranted.

scholarly journals Electronic Cigarettes and Oral Health

2021 ◽  
pp. 002203452110021
Author(s):  
R. Holliday ◽  
B.W. Chaffee ◽  
N.S. Jakubovics ◽  
R. Kist ◽  
P.M. Preshaw
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Mode Of Delivery ◽  
In Vitro Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
The Past

Novel nicotine products, particularly electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), have become increasingly popular over the past decade. E-cigarettes are sometimes regarded as a less harmful alternative to tobacco smoking, and there is some evidence of their potential role as a smoking cessation aid. However, there are concerns about their health consequences, particularly in users who are not tobacco smokers, and also when used long term. Given the mode of delivery of these products, there is potential for oral health consequences. Over the past few years, there have been an increasing number of studies conducted to explore their oral health effects. In vitro studies have reported a range of cellular effects, but these are much less pronounced than those resulting from exposure to tobacco smoke. Microbiological studies have indicated that e-cigarette users have a distinct microbiome, and there is some indication this may be more pathogenic compared to nonusers. Evidence of oral health effects from clinical trials is still limited, and most studies to date have been small in scale and usually cross-sectional in design. Epidemiological studies highlight concerns over oral dryness, irritation, and gingival diseases. Interpreting data from e-cigarette studies is challenging, given the different populations that have been investigated and the continual emergence of new products. Overall, studies reveal potential oral health harms, underscoring the importance of efforts to reduce use in nonsmokers. However, in smokers who are using e-cigarettes as an aid to help them quit, the benefits of quitting tobacco smoking may outweigh any negative oral health impacts of e-cigarette use, particularly in the short term. Future research is needed to understand the clinical significance of some of the biological changes observed by following different cohorts of users longitudinally in carefully designed clinical studies and pragmatic trials supported by high-quality in vitro studies.

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