NEWS
The
Science Bit
By Richard Cunningham, Ph.D
Vape Science:
True or False?
Everynow and then, the same myths and misconceptions
crop up in the mainstream media. We’ve all read the
headlines. Recently, the following topics appeared in tabloid
newspapers and their online counterparts.
We asked our go-to scientist Richard Cunningham PhD to remind
us of what’s what.
Myth: Vaping doesn’t work in smoking cessation.
Fact: Just ask a few people in any high street and it will be easy
to find someone who will tell you how e-cigarettes have helped
them to finally kick their smoking habit.
Although as a more scientific answer, a recent article published
on January 30 this year in the New England Journal of Medicine
demonstrated that e-cigarettes are almost twice as effective as
other nicotine replacement therapies in helping people quit.
In the study, performed by Hajek et al, 886 participants underwent
randomisation. Participants were given either e-cigarettes or else
nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) such as patches, lozenges
or gums followed by additional support. After one year, the
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abstinence rate from smoking among the group using e-cigarettes
was 18 percent, compared to 9.9 percent in the replacement
therapy group.
Interestingly the study also found that after one year, 80 percent
of those given e-cigarettes continued to use the product versus
only 9 percent in the replacement therapy group.
Also of note was that the e-cigarette group saw a greater decline in
phlegm and cough production over the 52-week period compared
to the replacement therapy group.
Myth: Vaping is the same as or as harmful as smoking.
Fact: First of all, quitting smoking is one of, if not the best thing
you can change for your overall lifestyle and wellbeing. We know
this! There are over four thousand chemicals in the smoke of
combustible cigarettes, of which over 70 are known as possible
carcinogens, where every cigarette smoked can increase the risk
of cancer.
As e-liquids contain only flavourings, propylene glycol, vegetable
glycerine and often nicotine, the exposure to harmful chemicals is