Five Things You Need to Know About E-Cigarettes

Smoking is on the rise again, but it’s not the same as it was.  15 years ago e-cigarettes also known as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) were developed by a Chinese company and have since grown to an estimated $23 billion a year business.  Using ENDS creates vapor, so instead of smoking people are said to ‘vape’.  Vape shops are opening up all over including, Elmhurst.  These shops are selling and often making the flavored fluids used.

So, what do you need to know?

#1 What are E-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes, short for electronic cigarettes, are battery-powered devices that are designed to simulate smoking by delivering nicotine and other chemicals to the user in the form of a vapor.

#2 Are they as dangerous as smoking?

E-cigarettes do not burn tobacco.  This alone makes them considerably less toxic than traditional cigarettes (or any tobacco burning product) (1,2).  Smoking leaves a residue that stains teeth; vaping does not have a residue so is unlikely to cause stains the same way.  It is also much harder to tell if someone has been vaping; there is only a mild odor even when someone is vaping in the same room.  This relates to point #3.

#3 Who’s using them?  

Disturbingly, the American Journal of Public Health published new data looking at almost 480,000 middle and high school students and found that 24% had tried smokeless tobacco products (3).  This is an issue for every parent to be aware of, especially as the long term effects of these products are unknown and many vape fluids contain the addictive cancer causing drug, nicotine.  Vaping is a fast growing industry and it’s popularity is not confined to the young.  Many people want to ‘smoke’ at work, or in public; some want to quit tobacco smoking (4); some believe it’s harmless and some just like the flavors.  

#4 Are they safe?

Safer than tobacco.  ENDS are safer than tobacco derived nicotine as other toxic combustion products are not present. However, most vape solutions still contain the addictive chemical nicotine.  The effects of the inhalation of the other ingredients in vape solutions are largely unknown (1,2,5).  The effects of secondhand vaping is largely unknown.  

#5 Are they legal?

Yes, in most places in most states to those over 18.  The FDA has begun to regulate the rapidly growing e-cigarette market, however advertising is still unrestricted; this has allowed the development of commercials reminiscent of 1950’s cigarette advertising showing vaping as cool, healthy and safe.  

It seems e-cigarettes are here to stay.  Eventually, large studies will be performed and we will find the long-term effects of this new delivery system.  My concern is that this new twist on cigarettes will create a gateway to nicotine addiction by a generation that is typically repulsed by the sight and smells of burning tobacco in public places.  It’s my hope that accurate, science-based, peer-reviewed information will allow us to make sensible personal and regulatory choices.1

Share if you care!  Please feel free to share this or any Dental Health Matters article and if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at Doodes@ParkBlvdDentistry.com.  Who knows, maybe your question will be the subject of another edition!

References:

1. Caponnetto, et al.,”The emerging phenomenon of electronic cigarettes”. Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine 6 (1): 63–74. (2012). 
2. Cooke, Andrew et al., “The Electronic Cigarette: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice3 (4): 498–505.
3. G Bostean.  E-Cigarette Use Among Never-Smoking California Students. Am J Public Health. 2015 Oct 15:e1-e3. 
4. Rahman, Muhammad Aziz (30 March 2015). “E-Cigarettes and Smoking Cessation: Evidence from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” PLoS March 2015
5. Rom, Oren et al.,. (2014). “Are E-cigarettes a safe and good alternative to cigarette smoking?”. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

© Paul Doodes DDS PhD.  All rights reserved.