E-cigarettes may harm immune system cells, and long-term use may still be harmful

Although e-cigarettes are a substitute many people choose before quitting smoking, the latest research shows that e-cigarettes are not completely safe either. They may damage important immune cells in the lungs and can easily lead to inflammation.

　　This small experimental study, led by Professor David Thickett of the University of Birmingham, was published in the online edition of the journal Thorax.

　　The researchers designed an experiment to simulate how e-cigarettes work and used lung tissue samples from eight non-smokers. The results showed that e-cigarettes can cause inflammatory responses and impair the function of alveolar macrophages, which are responsible for removing harmful particles, bacteria, and allergens.

　　The researchers said that some of the observed effects were very similar to symptoms seen in smokers or in patients with chronic lung disease. 　　However, the researchers also noted that these findings were obtained only under laboratory conditions and tracked changes over just 48 hours, so further research is needed to better understand the long-term health effects.

　　Professor Thickett said that although e-cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes, long-term use may still be harmful. He explained that e-cigarettes produce fewer carcinogens, so the cancer risk is relatively lower. However, he warned the public that if people use e-cigarettes over the long term (20–30 years), they may still be very likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

　　In February this year, Public Health England released its latest independent review of e-cigarettes. The findings concluded that a large body of evidence shows that for smokers, using e-cigarettes is much safer than smoking cigarettes, while for non-smokers, the harm is almost negligible. Therefore, the agency recommended that doctors should consider including e-cigarettes within prescription options.

　　Martin Dockrell, tobacco control lead at Public Health England, said: “E-cigarettes are not 100% risk-free, but they are far less harmful than smoking. Any smoker considering using e-cigarettes should switch completely right away.”