bio chat
“WHO should take note of positive
attributes of e-cigarettes”
This was mentioned by Prof Rajesh N. Sharan, an accomplished biochemist and
molecular biologist working in the fields of cancer and radiation molecular biology
for last over 3 decades at Department of Biochemistry, North-Eastern Hill
University, Shillong. Dr Sharan in a chat with BioVoice opined that e-cigarettes are
significantly safer than conventional cigarettes and could prove to be a major
alternative for smokers. Read the insightful interview below:
BY RAHUL KOUL
“
We found that Electronic Nicotine
Delivery Systems (ENDs) also commonly
known as “e-cigarettes” demonstrate
minimum health and safety concerns
compared to the high risks associated with
smoking and can therefore play an important
role in accelerating smoking cessation.
32
BioVoiceNews | October 2016
Please tell us about the main objectives behind
your study on feasibility of e-cigarettes? What
were the primary conclusion?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
approximately 1 billion people currently smoke. This is
estimated to result in the deaths of about 6 million
individuals globally every year. Despite knowledge of
the harm caused by smoking and regulatory efforts to
support smoking cessation, the number of smokers
continues to grow. More than one million Indians
reportedly die annually because of smoking, making it
the fourth leading cause of death due to noncommunicable diseases (NCD) in the country.
When conducting our research, we were motivated to
identify better and safer forms of nicotine delivery to
aid smoking cessation, especially to those who are
unable to quit. We found that Electronic Nicotine
Delivery Systems (ENDs) also commonly known as “ecigarettes” demonstrate minimum health and safety
concerns compared to the high risks associated with
smoking and can therefore play an important role in
accelerating smoking cessation.
What are the potential benefits and risks of ecigarettes?
The number one benefit is that e-cigarettes provide
smokers with a less harmful alternative. Our research
shows that e-cigarettes are significantly safer than
conventional cigarettes and provide the smoker with an
option to consume nicotine without being exposed to
the many harmful carcinogens and other toxins in
cigarette smoke that are the result of combustion.
We have conducted a systematic review and metaanalysis of published literature on the health and