E-cigarettes can harm your DNA warn scientists

VAPING damages DNA and increases the risk of cancer, according to a study.

The biological changes can cause diseases such as cancer – although scientists stress the risk is far less than with traditional smoking.

Scientists from the University of Southern California compared those who’d been smokers with those who’d only ever vaped.

They discovered vapers who’d never touched a cigarette suffered damage to their genes, increasing their risk of cancer. However, the changes were much more extensive in those who smoked tobacco products.

Though touted as a less harmful alternative to smoking, the long-term effects of vaping are still unknown.

Fears include the spectre of a boom in vaping among children which could create a generation of young people hooked on nicotine.

It’s estimated that one Elf Bar disposable vape – produced by a China-based technology company – contains the same nicotine as 48 cigarettes. Possible short-term side-effects include headaches, nausea and vomiting.

In addition, concerns relate to the possibility of vapes containing banned chemicals or super-strength nicotine.

A report published in 2019 found e-cigarettes carried an increased risk of developing chronic lung diseases including asthma and bronchitis.

A 2016 study also identified harmful emissions in the vapour, including possible carcinogens and irritants, although at a far lower level than in cigarettes.

The British Heart Foundation’s associate medical director Professor Jeremy Pearson previously warned: ‘Just because e-cigarettes may be less harmful than tobacco doesn’t mean they are completely safe.

‘We still don’t know the long-term impact on the heart and circulation or other aspects of health.

‘E-cigarettes and vaping should never be taken up by people who don’t already smoke, but could be a useful tool to help people to stop.’

Dentists also report sideeffects caused by vaping. These include bad breath, ulcers, a dry mouth and lack of saliva, and potentially tooth decay.