Vaping ‘damages DNA’

Researchers find increased levels of toxic chemicals in vapers’ saliva

SMOKING e-cigarettes can damage DNA in the mouth and may increase the risk of cancer in people who vape, scientists have warned.

Supporters of vaping claim it is a way for smokers to quit and a ‘lesser evil’ than conventional cigarettes.

But new research suggests vaping increases the level of DNA damaging compounds.

If cells cannot repair DNA damage the risk of cancer can increase, say scientists.

The study analysed the saliva and mouth cells of five e-cigarette users before and after a 15-minute vaping session. Researchers found increased levels of toxic chemicals formaldehyde, acrolein and methylglyoxal. The long-term effects of e-cigarettes are unknown

The new US research comes after a panel of MPs in the UK last week controversially called for vaping to be allowed on public transport and hospitals.

The nicotine found in e-cigarettes is highly addictive and has a series of effects on the body, including speeding up the heart rate and reducing the amount of insulin. This can increase the risk of developing diabetes.

The researchers, from the University of Minnesota, now plan to follow up the preliminary study with a larger one involving more e-cigarette users.

They also want to see how the level of toxic chemicals differs between e-cigarette users and regular cigarette smokers.

Lead researcher Assistant Professor Silvia Balbo said: ‘It’s clear that more carcinogens arise from the combustion of tobacco in regular cigarettes than from the vapour of e-cigarettes. However, we don’t really know the impact of inhaling the combination of compounds produced by this device. Just because the threats are different doesn’t mean that e-cigarettes are completely safe.

‘Comparing e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes is really like comparing apples and oranges. The exposures are completely different. We still don’t know exactly what these e-cigarette devices are doing and what kinds of effects they may have on health, but our findings suggest that a closer look is warranted.’

The research team’s findings are due to be presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society. Roughly 150,000-200,000 Irish

‘Tobacco produces more carcinogens’

people currently use e-cigarettes

Vaping is also very popular among young people. According to a 2016 US report 35.8% of 18- to 24-year-olds had used e-cigarettes. The devices were developed in China and first sold in 2004 before spreading worldwide.