Nicotine-based e-cigarettes may increase risk of some cancers

Vaping is often promoted as a safer alternative to cigarettes, but safer does not necessarily mean safer. New evidence suggests nicotine-based e-cigarettes may increase the risk of some cancers, according to a review recently published in the journal carcinogenic.

What did this study find? How could e-cigarettes contribute to cancer? Are e-cigarettes an effective way to quit smoking? smoking?And what should parents know about vaping with teens and young adults??

To answer these questions, I spoke to CNN wellness expert Dr. Liana Wen, an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University. She previously served as the health commissioner for the city of Baltimore.

CNN: What did this study find about e-cigarettes and cancer risk?

Dr. Wen: This paper is not a single experiment, but a large-scale scientific review of the evidence regarding e-cigarette and cancer-related mechanisms.
of author We reviewed results from laboratory studies, animal studies, human biomarker studies, and epidemiological studies that investigated how e-cigarettes affect cells and tissues in relation to the development of cancer.

This review summarizes evidence showing that e-cigarette aerosols can damage DNA and cause chronic inflammation, a process associated with cancer formation. Researchers also found that vaping aerosols contain formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, heavy metal Nickel, chromium, lead, etc. that can come from heating elements inside the device. Additionally, they examined evidence suggesting a link between e-cigarettes and cancers involving the lungs, mouth, and bladder.

The authors carefully noted the limitations of the current evidence.
E-cigarettes have only become widely used in the last decade, and many cancers take decades to develop. This means that long-term population data that can clearly quantify cancer risk, as with traditional cigarettes, do not yet exist. Much of the existing research is laboratory-based, involves animals, or examines short-term biological changes rather than actual cancer diagnosis in humans.

Still, taken together, the authors concluded that the consistency of the results across different types of studies raises serious concerns that e-cigarettes are not harmless and may increase cancer risk over time.

CNN: How do e-cigarettes contribute to cancer when they don’t burn cigarettes?

Wen: Many people believe that e-cigarettes are essentially harmless because they do not involve combustion. It’s true that e-cigarettes generally expose users to fewer harmful chemicals than traditional cigarettes. However, fewer harmful chemicals does not mean there are no harmful chemicals.

electronic cigarette heat liquid solution They often contain nicotine, flavoring chemicals, and solvents such as propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin. When heated, these substances can break down into compounds that can damage cells and DNA. The aerosol produced by e-cigarettes also contains ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs and cause chronic inflammation.

Nicotine itself is not biologically neutral either. Although nicotine is not considered a classic carcinogen in the same category as tobacco smoke, promotes tumor growthangiogenesis and cell signaling pathways that support cancer progression. And nicotine has many other negative effects, especially on young people.

CNN: Is vaping safer than smoking cigarettes?

Wen: Based on what we currently know, vaping is probably no more harmful than smoking combustible cigarettes. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals. Dozens of known carcinogens, And smoking remains one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide.

However, I am concerned that the phrase “safer than cigarettes” is often interpreted as “safe” and that this is not supported by evidence. Using e-cigarettes exposes users to the addictive substance nicotine and a variety of potentially harmful substances. vape cans worsen respiratory disease People with asthma or other chronic lung diseases. These products have not been around as long as cigarettes, so their long-term effects are still being studied.

This distinction is especially important for adolescents and young adults who have never smoked. For people who don’t smoke, starting to vape is never a good choice for improving your health.

CNN: Can e-cigarettes help people quit smoking?

Wen: Indeed, there are anecdotal reports from people who say that e-cigarettes helped them quit smoking. some research They suggest that e-cigarettes may help certain adults reduce their use of combustible tobacco or quit smoking. but, Other research It is important to note that these reports are contradictory and e-cigarettes are not approved as smoking cessation devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The big concern is that many people who start vaping to quit smoking end up continuing to consume nicotine long-term, either through vaping alone or through so-called “dual use” of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. In other words, it is possible to switch delivery systems without addressing nicotine addiction itself.

some FDA approved smoking cessation tools There is much stronger evidence behind them. These tools include nicotine replacement treatments such as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, and nasal sprays, and are designed to help reduce withdrawal symptoms in a controlled manner. Two prescription medications, varenicline and bupropion, can also significantly improve smoking cessation rates, especially when combined with behavioral counseling and support programs.

If you smoke cigarettes and want to quit, we recommend that you talk to your doctor about a structured smoking cessation program and use evidence-based methods approved by the FDA, rather than relying on over-the-counter e-cigarette products that are not approved for smoking cessation.

CNN: What about people who both smoke and vape?

Wen: This “dual use” is very common. Many people continue to vape while vaping because they are trying to cut down on the amount of cigarettes they smoke or because they use e-cigs in places where smoking is prohibited.

The problem is that dual users continue to be exposed to the harmful effects of tobacco, with added exposure from e-cigarettes. a number of studies Suggested that dual users could have Cardiovascular and respiratory risks The harm is equal to or greater than that seen from smoking alone.

One important question is how much it actually reduces smoking. Someone going from smoking one pack of cigarettes a day to one pack a week is very different from someone who continues to smoke half a pack every day while vaping heavily. Complete smoking cessation should remain the goal.

CNN: What are the risks for teens and young adults who vape?

Wen: Adolescents and young adults are a major concern. Nicotine may affect brain developmentespecially those involved in attention, learning, and impulse control.

According to , by 2024, more than 1.6 million U.S. middle and high school students will report current e-cigarette use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Frequent use is often reported, and flavored products remain particularly popular among young people.

Teens may also underestimate the amount of nicotine they are consuming. Many e-cigarette products contain very high concentrations of nicotine. Nicotine dependence can develop rapidly during adolescence.

There is also evidence that e-cigarette use among young people is associated with an increased likelihood of subsequent smoking and other drug use. In addition to nicotine dependence, other concerns include: Respiratory effectsits association with mental health conditions such as: depressionexposure to potentially toxic chemicals during critical developmental periods.

CNN: What should parents tell their kids about e-cigarettes?

Wen: Parents should have direct and open-minded conversations with their children about e-cigarettes, rather than assuming that their children have not been exposed to e-cigarettes. Many adolescents encounter e-cigarette products through peer groups or social media use.

I think it’s important to explain that vaping is more than just flavored water vapor. These products can contain highly addictive nicotine and chemicals that can damage your lungs and increase your risk of cancer over time.

CNN: What should current vapers do now?

Wen: First of all, if you don’t smoke, my advice is to not start vaping. People who already vape, especially those who vape regularly, should consider reducing their use and, ideally, discontinuing their use.

For smokers who have completely switched from cigarettes to e-cigarettes, the situation is more nuanced. Although vaping is preferable to smoking cigarettes, the long-term goal is ideally to be completely free from nicotine addiction.

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