Do vaping devices hurt the kidneys?

Do vaping devices hurt the kidneys? E-cigarettes (ECS) are electronic products that mimic cigarettes, having the same appearance, smoke, taste, and feel. They are products that allow users to inhale vaporized nicotine and other substances through methods like atomization.

Earlier, the National Health Service Scotland issued a consensus statement indicating that the harm of e-cigarettes is less than that of traditional cigarettes. This statement seemed to bring positive reviews for e-cigarettes.

However, the reality is that the Hong Kong Smoking and Health Council previously conducted tests on e-cigarettes and found that they contain various carcinogenic substances, with formaldehyde levels being dozens of times higher than traditional cigarettes. Respiratory specialists have also pointed out that the heavy metals in e-cigarettes can accelerate liver and kidney decline, meaning that using e-cigarettes is equally dangerous.

Unclear ingredients, formaldehyde levels dozens of times higher

In recent years, e-cigarettes have become a trend, with the main types sold on the market being heated e-liquids and heated non-combustible tobacco. The chairman of the Hong Kong Smoking and Health Council pointed out that e-cigarettes also contain carcinogenic substances, and the biggest problem is the lack of regulation; they do not disclose their ingredients, providing no guarantee for smokers.

Between October 2015 and February 2016, the chairman of the Hong Kong Smoking and Health Council commissioned Hong Kong Baptist University to test 13 types of e-cigarette pods purchased from the market. The results showed that these e-cigarettes contained formaldehyde, glycerin, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and other chemicals, among which formaldehyde and PAHs are carcinogenic substances, with formaldehyde levels being dozens of times higher than traditional cigarettes.

In this test, some brands of e-cigarette products from the same batch showed significant differences in their ingredient content, indicating varying quality and making it difficult to estimate the extent of harm to health.

Heavy metals harm the liver and kidneys, smoke poisons the respiratory tract

Hong Kong respiratory specialists have pointed out that e-cigarettes have not been on the market for long and are still relatively new products, with no comprehensive studies to determine whether they cause less harm, which is highly controversial. However, like traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes also contain heavy metals.

Heavy metals are not easily expelled from the body and can accumulate, potentially accelerating the aging of the liver and kidneys, affecting blood vessels, weakening blood production, and impacting nerve lines. Additionally, propylene glycol, used to create smoke, can produce by-products that may also be carcinogenic when metabolized in the body.

Hong Kong respiratory specialists have indicated that studies show that flavoring agents in e-cigarettes can irritate the airways, leading to coughing and phlegm, significantly affecting individuals with airway issues such as asthma, potentially triggering attacks, especially in young people.

A study published in 2016 by the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the Veterans Health Administration further indicated that the compounds in the smoke produced by e-cigarettes can irritate the airways and poison respiratory cells, lowering their immunity. Among these, MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) can be activated upon contact with the smoke, potentially leading to pneumonia or sepsis, making e-cigarette users more susceptible to infections.

Many people believe that e-cigarettes help with quitting smoking, but the World Health Organization has previously emphasized that there is not enough evidence to suggest that e-cigarettes assist in smoking cessation; it further recommends global regulation to restrict e-cigarette advertising, promotion, and sponsorship activities, ensuring that they do not target youth and non-smokers for sales.
However, most of the so-called harmful statements lack scientific basis, while e-cigarettes in the UK are recommended as smoking cessation products for smokers. From the current comprehensive research, e-cigarettes are healthier than cigarettes and are expected to replace traditional tobacco, which is an undeniable fact. However, the current e-cigarette devices and e-liquids do not meet pharmaceutical standards, and some products may be more dangerous than NRT (nicotine replacement therapy). Legislators should not significantly restrict the development and use of harm reduction products for smoking but should adopt a balanced approach to ensure product safety.

As for some sudden incidents reported in the media (such as device explosions, accidental ingestion of e-liquid, etc.), they should still be viewed as product safety issues or low-probability events and not be overly referenced.

This response aims to provide reference material for individuals related to e-cigarettes. Every industry has its routines, and this is undeniable, but I believe that a mature industry should have basic transparency. This basic transparency should enable consumers to understand the basic situation, so they do not make serious mistakes in their choices. E-cigarettes are a relatively young industry globally and represent a revolutionary industry, with significant interests leading to a situation where routines are intertwined and will likely persist as a phenomenon. #p#分页标题#e#

Whether consumers can see through the fog depends on the dissemination of correct knowledge and an open and transparent industry atmosphere. As someone in the industry and also an e-cigarette consumer, I am willing to share or disclose the information I have learned.

The transparency of industry information and the knowledge equipped to users can ultimately prompt consumers to make the right choices themselves, rather than falling into commercial traps or inadvertently becoming part of marketing schemes (having seen many answers on Zhihu, I must say many have this suspicion).