E-cigarettes affect DNA just like tobacco

E-cigarettes, highly popular with young people, cause the same DNA damage as traditional cigarettes, demonstrate, for the first time, a recent study.

The electronic cigarette is considered a healthy alternative to the classic cigarette. However, the long-term health consequences of vaping are largely unknown.

Comparative research shows, for the first time, the effects on DNA of vaping, smoking and not using them.

The longer smokers use e-cigarettes, the more oral cells will have DNA damage, explained Ahmad Besaratinia, a professor at the Kek School of Medicine (California) and lead author of this research.

E-cigarettes cause DNA damage

Published in the magazine Nicotine&Tobacco Researchthis research shows that among people who use e-cigarettes exclusively, the frequency of use as well as the use of certain devices and flavors are associated with a higher level of DNA damage.

The researchers chose 72 adults in good health and divided them into three groups: e-cigarette smokers (never smoked traditional cigarettes); smokers of classic cigarettes (never smoked e-cigarettes): people with no history of smoking or vaping.

Data on frequency and duration of smoking and vaping were collected. Epithelial cell samples were also taken from the mouth of each person included in this research. Next, the researchers analyzed the lesions at the gene level, which indicate the degree of aggression on the genome.

The sweet flavors in e-cigarettes are the most dangerous

The results indicated that DNA damage was identical in cigarette smokers and e-cigarette smokers: 2.6 times and 2.2 times greater, respectively, compared to non-smokers. Furthermore, in the case of flavors, the findings are even more worrying. In the case of those who use sweet flavors, the level of lesions is higher, followed by mint, menthol and fruit flavors.

These products are known to be more consumed by teenagers. An annual report by the US Food Drug Administration estimates that flavored e-cigarettes are used by about 85 percent of teen smokers.

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