Electronic Cigarettes — Can They Be Helpful?.. The Pros and Cons

Joseph R. Anticaglia MD
Medical Advisory Board

The use of electronic cigarettes is a critical public health issue. The increased use of e-cigarettes by teenagers and middle school children and the potential, harmful long term effects are especially worrisome.

Have e-cigs been helpful to traditional smokers who have not been able to quit smoking? Is it harmful to non-smokers who use e-cigarettes for the first time?

E-cigarettes have rapidly increased in popularity in the U.S. They are designed to reproduce the look and feel of conventional cigarettes without using or burning tobacco. The hand-held battery device powers the delivery of a vapor containing nicotine, glycerin, flavorings, propylene glycol and other chemicals which are inhaled by the user.

There has been much discussion and debate about this topic. Opponents have concern about the prevalence and effects of e-cigarettes, especially among the youth and young adults.

CONS: E-Cigarettes

• Nicotine is highly addictive.
• No quality control or standardization of devices.
• High youth initiation.
• Among adolescent first time smokers, it may serve as a gateway to get youngsters hooked on conventional cigarettes and other substances.
• Those who have quit smoking regular cigarettes for months or years, blame their e-cigarette usage for inducing them to start smoking regular cigarettes again.
• Inflammation of lung tissue immediately after vaping (inhaling e-cigs).
• Nicotine concentration is variable due to differences in devices and personal use patterns.
• Potential danger of toxic and carcinogenic ingredients which have been detected in the vapor of nicotine and nicotine free e-cigarettes.
• Accidents have occurred with e-cigarettes.
• No long-term studies about the adverse health effects of smoking e-cigarettes.

Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Appearance of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) made to look & feel like pipes, cigars and cigarettes.

Proponents cite many reasons for the increase use of e-cigarettes.

PROS: E-Cigarettes

• Less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
• Do not use or burn tobacco leaves.
• They are not lit.
• Users do not inhale smoke.
• Much less carcinogens and toxic ingredients compared to conventional cigarettes.
• They are tar free, odor free and ash free.
• Aid to smoking cessation.
• No second hand smoke.
• They create a feeling of smoking a real cigarette.
• Cost savings.
• Not all e-cigarettes deliver nicotine.

Comparison to Non Smokers

• No comparison.
• You’re healthier by not smoking, wealthier by not wasting your money on cigarette products and wiser for not smoking!

But what about the millions of smokers who have unsuccessfully tried nicotine patches, gum, counseling and other methods and still smoke cigarettes?

Using e-cigarettes, and only e-cigarettes, might be the lesser of two evils. Studies are now underway to answer the short and long-term effects of smoking e-cigarettes. But as has been noted in a previous communication: “There is no safe cigarette!”

References

Surgeon General Report; E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults; U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 2016

Anticaglia, Joseph R MD; What You Need To Know About E-Cigarettes; HC Smart 2017

Lion Schhab; Nicotine, Carcinogen and Toxin Exposure in Long-Term ECigarette and Nicotine Replacement Therapy Users; Annals of Internal Medicine; 2017

CDC; Cigarette smoking among U.S. high school students at an all-time low, but ecigarette use a concern; June 9.2016

NIH; Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes); National Institute on Drug Abuse; U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; May, 2016 Individual

This article is intended solely as a learning experience. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.