Using e-cigarettes may increase the risk of cancer, researchers warn - although it remains less harmful than traditional smoking.
Over 5.5 million people in the UK currently use vapes, which for years have been considered a safer alternative to cigarettes and have even been promoted as a tool for quitting smoking.
However, a new analysis from the University of Canterbury shows that these devices may increase the risk of several types of cancer, including lung and nasal cancer.
Researchers analyzed the chemicals created when heating vaping liquids and their impact on the body, concluding that their use poses a carcinogenic risk - although difficult to measure precisely.
One of the reasons is that cancers can develop even 15 years after exposure to harmful substances, which makes it difficult to fully assess the long-term consequences.
Unlike cigarettes, vapes do not contain tar or carbon monoxide, but they are not without risks. Studies have identified the presence of toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde – linked to cancer – as well as tiny metal particles.
Also, vaping users are more likely to develop chronic lung diseases, such as COPD, which can lead to serious health complications.
The study authors emphasize that vapes can be a useful tool for quitting smoking, as exposure to harmful substances is lower compared to traditional cigarettes. But they warn that using them without a reason – that is, not to quit smoking – increases health risks.
Professor Ian Shaw, lead author of the study, emphasizes that vaping itself increases the risk of cancer and should not be considered harmless.
Comparisons show that cigarettes produce much higher levels of some toxic substances, such as acrolein and acetaldehyde, while formaldehyde levels are similar between cigarettes and vapes.
Overall, vapes expose users to fewer harmful chemicals than tobacco, but they do not completely eliminate the risk.
Experts emphasize that the risk is greater among those who simultaneously use cigarettes and "vapes", significantly increasing the chance of lung cancer.
Institutions such as the NHS continue to emphasize that vapes are less harmful than smoking and can help quit, but warn that the long-term effects are still not fully known.
In conclusion, although vapes may be a less dangerous alternative for smokers, they are not safe and their use should be viewed with caution. /GazetaExpress/
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