Vapouround magazine Issue 04 | Page 28

NEWS used to test the ability of conventional 3R4F reference cigarette and Vype ePen to promote tumour formation in a specialised cell type called Bhas 42. After exposure to reference cigarettes, the layers of cells were seen to become transformed, clumping together to create colonies, suggesting that the smoke is a tumour promoter. By contrast, the e-cigarette produced no activity. In each test, the e-cigarette produced the same results as an untreated control – there was no activity. A Revolution in Public Health? E-cigarettes are a potentially revolutionary product in tobacco harm reduction. Many in the public health community believe that they represent an historical opportunity to save millions of lives and drastically reduce the public health burden of smoking-related diseases. Public Health England, an 28 ISSUE 04 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE executive body of the UK Department of Health, recently published a report saying that e-cigarettes are 95% safer than cigarettes. Other groups that recognise the reduced risk potential of e-cigarettes include ASH (Action on Smoking and Health); Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation. E-cigarettes produce a vapour and as there is no burning of tobacco, the user is not exposed to the toxicants produced by burning dried tobacco leaf. Chemical analyses shows that there are some compounds released into the vapour of e-cigarettes which are toxic at high levels, but these are found at negligible levels in e-cigarette vapour compared to that in smoke. We have rigorously tested our products and have found that the level that tobacco-specif ic nitrosamines, are present in e-cigarette vapour is comparable with the level found in pharmaceutical nicotine products. Formaldehyde exposures were at levels well below that considered safe by the WHO – indoor air quality guidelines. These chemical profiles are very reassuring, but we need to continually develop new tests to assess the biological impact of e-cigarette vapour compared to that of smoke. We can use these tests to better define and further reduce any residual risks that there may be to as low a level as possible. Several companies are actively involved in e-cigarettes and next generation products. The key to demonstrating the reduced-risk potential of these products will be agreeing on testing approaches. We think this means that there is now a great opportunity for the industry, regulators and academia to come together and agree on standards and testing protocols.