New research call after deaths linked to vaping
NEW evidence from the United States about the possible dangers of vaping has prompted the Lord Mayor of Swansea to suggest that the Welsh Government could carry out further research on the matter.
Six recent deaths of young people have been linked to vaping, and a number of academic studies have been published that lend weight to growing concerns about e-cigarettes.
Three and a half years ago, when he was a Liberal Democrat AM for South Wales West, Peter Black argued against Mark Drakeford when the then Health Minister – now First Minister – proposed extending the ban on smoking in public places to vaping.
Mr Black, who is now Swansea’s Lord Mayor, said in 2016 there was no evidence to suggest that other people’s health was affected when vaping occurred in the vicinity.
He agreed with the argument that switching to vaping helped people give up smoking tobacco.
As things turned out, the Welsh Government’s Bill, which included a proposed ban on vaping in public places, failed to be passed because of a row between Labour and Plaid Cymru.
Recently, however, a severe respiratory illness has killed six people in the United States and hospitalised many more.
Earlier this month, US officials said that more than 450 possible cases, all linked to vaping, among otherwise “healthy young people” were being investigated.
Affected individuals have experienced respiratory symptoms including a cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Some also experienced vomiting and diarrhoea.
Last year, scientists from Yale and Duke universities confirmed “the liquids vaporised by e-cigarettes are chemically unstable and form new chemicals that irritate the airways and may have other toxic effects”.
In the past three months, studies have suggested that exposure to nicotine-free e-cigarettes harms the cardiovascular system of healthy young adults; that daily e-cigarette use is associated with increased risk of heart attacks; that vapour from e-cigarettes may impair the cells lining the lungs; and that vaping may hamper the lungs’ ability to fend off infections.
E-cigarette liquids supposedly contain far fewer chemicals – as little as a handful – than traditional cigarettes and are therefore deemed safer. But the flavours study has raised further concerns.
Cllr Black said: “I have never taken the view that vaping isn’t harmful – but it’s less harmful than cigarettes. I think it’s important to make decisions based on evidence. If further evidence emerges that suggests vaping is more harmful than was previously thought, it should be looked at.
“Perhaps the Welsh Government should look at doing some research of its own. I was against banning vaping in public places because there was no evidence that it harmed the health of others. If new evidence emerges that it could harm others, I would take a different view.”
A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “We are committed to reducing smoking rates in Wales. We recognise some people have found e-cigarettes to be useful in helping them to stop smoking, but evidence of the longerterm health effects is currently very limited and many professionals and organisations worldwide have expressed concerns about their use. E-cigarettes should not be used by non-smokers or young people.
“The Welsh Government is working with partners in Wales to develop a shared consensus about e-cigarettes.”