E-Cigarettes -- New Research!

February 19, 2020

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E-Cigarettes – New Research!

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Anytime there is new research out, I love to read it & spread the word to others. #evidencebasedmedicine. An awesome new study out about electronic cigarettes prompted me to write this post because I am passionate about increasing awareness of why it’s so important to QUIT smoking (in all forms!); Important for the VOICE, mouth, teeth, lungs, skin, & general overall health. I have also seen/worked with many patients who have been given the dreaded diagnosis of some form of head/neck cancer &/or lung cancer & seen firsthand what can happen.

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In case you are unsure of exactly what an e-cigarette is, The American Lung Association states: “The main component of e-cigarettes is the e-liquid contained in cartridges or tanks. To create an e-liquid, nicotine is extracted from tobacco & mixed with a base (usually propylene glycol), & may also include flavorings, colorings, & other chemicals (such as formaldehyde & acrolein, which can cause irreversible lung damage). In 2016, the Surgeon General concluded that SECONDHAND EMISSIONS from e-cigs contain “nicotine; ultrafine particles; flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease; volatile organic compounds such as benzene, which is found in car exhaust; and heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, & lead”.

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E-Cig use has gained popularity in recent years among adolescents & cigarette smokers (adding to their current smoking habits &/or being used in an attempt to wean from regular cigarettes). Via the research, we are very familiar with the detrimental effects of smoking on the oral cavity (mouth, teeth, tongue, etc.), larynx (vocal folds, etc.), & respiratory system (lungs, bronchioles, alveoli, etc.). However, because e-cigs are relatively “new”, there has not been much research to identify the effects they have regarding the oral cavity, larynx, &/or respiratory system. A brand spankin’ new article published Feb 11, 2020 by Irene Yang, Shelly Sandeep, & Jeannie Rodriguez has found that “although conventional smokers may find a mitigation in their current oral-related symptoms, e-cig exposure increased the risk for deteriorating periodontal, dental, & gingival health as well as changes to the microbiome”. There have also been case reports related to extensive dental damage as a result of e-cig explosions. In addition, a most interesting (but expected) finding was that “components of e-cigarette vapor have KNOWN cytotoxic, genotoxic, AND carcinogenic properties”. Another article by Jenssen & Wilson (2019) summarized their findings by the simple sentence: “e-cigarettes and vaping systems are not safe products and should not be used by adolescents”.

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So, before you go & think e-cigs are a “good” alternative to smoking, reconsider the FACTS. Reconsider what you are exposing your body to & REMEMBER that YOUR body, YOUR VOICE, & YOUR health are just that. YOURS. Take ownership of that and resist the urge to smoke ANYTHING.