Man Smokes E-cigarettes
IN PHOTO: A customer puffs on an e-cigarette at the Henley Vaporium in New York City December 18, 2013. At the Henley Vaporium, one of a growing number of e-cigarette lounges sprouting up in New York and other U.S. cities, patrons can indulge in their choice of more than 90 flavors of nicotine-infused vapor, ranging from bacon to bubble gum. The growing popularity of e-cigarettes has not escaped the notice of the industry's critics, who have stepped up calls for new regulations, including bans on their use in public places, even though the scientific evidence about exposure to their vapors remains inconclusive. Reuters/Mike Segar

Several studies found that E-cigarettes are not risk free, which is in contrast to the intial claims regarding the device. A study published in PLOS One in February revealed that e-cigarettes harm the lungs and the immune system, causing inflammation. A new risk assessment report from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health adds that these devices are harmful to the health of the user. The assessment report took into account e-cigarettes that contain nicotine.

The press release states that their assessment did not include e-cigarettes without nicotine as there remains minimal research and data that provide insight into its health effects. They state that smoking those with nicotine harm not just the person smoking but also the bystanders.

The report reveals that since nicotine has a harmful effect, then smoking e-cigarettes has the same consequences as smoking a normal cigarette. This is true as both contain nicotine. In the press release, it is stated that the vapour from e-cigarettes contain so much nicotine that it would affect even the bystanders and pose similar threats to their health - similar to the effects of passive smoking involving normal cigarettes. It also affects addiction to nicotine, the release highlights. While the short-term health deterioration is quite evident, the report states that the heath risk of the long term uses of e-cigarettes are still unknown.

Camilla Stoltenberg, director-general at the NIPH, explains that a set of smokers and former smokers are mostly the ones who use e-cigarettes in Norway. However, the concern she mentions is its availability and reach among the adolescents and young adults. The trend could be quite harmful among non smokers and non tobacco users, she states.

The report also sheds light on the fact that since the product is available in the market recently, there is little research on its health effects in the long run. Also, the NIPH’s risk assessment takes into account just one component of the e-cigarettes: nicotine. However, the report states that there are a variety of e-cigarettes available in the market with different components. The time period and the manner of usage are also important in considering the risk factors. The report suggests that more research must be done to analyse the other factors involved.

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