So... Vaping Isn't As Harmless As People Seem To Think It Is

In the study, researchers used lung tissue from non-smokers to be tested in three situations:
- exposed to plain e-cigarette fluid
- exposed to varying strengths of artificial vapour, with and without nicotine
- exposed to nothing

All eight non-smokers have no history of asthma or any other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The findings were then published online by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on the "Thorax" journal.

Media reports have called this study "significant" as it does not focus on the composition of e-cigarette liquid, but rather on the effects of its vapours.

This happens whether nicotine is present or not, though the presence of nicotine has a more pronounced effect.

When protective cells are disabled, users are more vulnerable to dust, bacteria and allergens which could lead to incurable COPD.

The cells' ability to fight off bacteria is also compromised, though it can be treated with antioxidants.

The sudden rise in popularity of vaping - especially among youths - has pushed researchers to study its effects before its too late.

Some other health risks in regards to vaping include an increased risk of heart disease when vaping with fluids that contain nicotine and possible damage to DNA in the heart, lungs, and bladder.

In general, vaping fluid that contains nicotine could have effects that are similar to that of smoking traditional cigarettes.

Thickett is attached to University of Birmingham's Institute of Inflammation and Ageing.

“In terms of cancer causing molecules in cigarette smoke, as opposed to cigarette vapour, there are certainly reduced numbers of carcinogens," he says.

"They are safer in terms of cancer risk, but if you vape for 20 or 30 years and this can cause COPD, then that’s something we need to know about."

Ultimately, Thickett advises vapers to practise "cautious scepticism" when it comes to deeming e-cigarettes as "safe".