Vaping was initially introduced as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, recent research is proving otherwise. While scientists are still uncertain of the full impact of vaping on health, numerous studies have linked e-cigarette use with a variety of negative effects on the body.
In light of this, researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC have conducted a study to determine the potential link between vape use and DNA damage, which can lead to chronic diseases.
The study, published on February 14th, 2023 in the Journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research, divided 72 healthy adults into three groups: current smokers, current vapers, and individuals who have never smoked or vaped.
Methods of Research
The researchers collected information from the vaping and smoking groups about how often and how long they used the respective products. Additionally, the vaping group was asked to provide information about the types of devices and flavors used.
The scientists then collected epithelial cell samples from the inside of the mouth of each participant. After testing the samples, they found that those who used vapes had 2.6 times more DNA damage than those who had never used vapes or traditional cigarettes.
Similarly, participants who smoked traditional cigarettes had 2.2 times more DNA damage than those who had never smoked or vaped. These results indicated that the levels of DNA damage were comparable in vapers and smokers, implying that the health effects of vaping and smoking may be the same.
The Findings
Moreover, the researchers found that heavy users of vapes and traditional cigarettes had higher levels of DNA damage. This finding suggests that the extent of DNA damage may be dose-dependent.
Additionally, the highest levels of DNA damage were found in participants who used pods, followed by those who used mods. Sweet-flavored vapes were linked to the highest levels of damage, while mint/menthol and fruit-flavored vapes followed closely behind. Notably, nicotine levels in vapes did not predict DNA damage.
The study's authors suggest that their breakthrough findings could have significant implications for public health and tobacco product regulation, given that over 2.5 million middle and high school students currently use vaping products, with nearly 85% using flavored e-cigarettes.
Moving forward, the research team plans to conduct more investigations with larger numbers of participants and further studies on the biological impact of DNA damage and its relation to chronic disease.
The study's findings highlight the need for further research into the safety of vaping, as its potentially harmful effects are still not fully understood. While e-cigarettes have been touted as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, this study shows that the damage caused by both is quite similar.
As such, it is essential to educate the public about the potential dangers of vaping, especially in younger age groups who may be more susceptible to the lure of sweet-flavored vapes. These findings also call for stricter regulations around the production and sale of vaping products.
Overall, the study provides valuable insight into the potential health risks of vaping and its impact on DNA damage, which can lead to chronic disease. It underscores the need for further research into the safety of vaping and the potential for stricter regulations to protect public health.
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