Japanese Researchers: Carcinogenic Substances in E-Cigarettes Are Up to 10 Times Higher Than Regular Cigarettes

Japanese scientists announced on Thursday, December 6, that carcinogenic substances in e-cigarettes are up to 10 times more than in regular cigarettes. This news is another significant blow to the credibility of this new product, which was claimed to be less harmful than traditional cigarettes. According to a report by AFP from Tokyo, e-cigarettes, which have gained popularity worldwide, especially among young people, operate by vaporizing flavored liquids. The vapor, which contains nicotine, is inhaled similarly to regular cigarettes but does not produce smoke. A health ministry official in Japan told AFP that researchers found carcinogens such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in the vapor of various e-cigarette types. The official added that this research, commissioned by the Japanese Ministry of Health, indicates that the level of formaldehyde in e-cigarette vapor is higher than in regular cigarettes. Formaldehyde is a substance found in building materials and embalming fluids. Nowaki Kanagita, one of the researchers, stated, "The carcinogenic substances in one brand of e-cigarettes were ten times higher than in regular cigarettes. During the tests, the amount of formaldehyde in these cigarettes varied. However, it appears that when the tube that vaporizes the liquid gets too hot, a greater amount of these harmful substances is produced." Kanagita and his team at the National Health Institute presented their findings on various e-cigarette cartridges to the Minister of Health on Thursday, November 27 (December 6). In one type of these e-cigarettes, whose brand name was not disclosed, the level of formaldehyde was ten times higher in 9 out of 10 cartridge sets tested. A similar result was observed in another brand of e-cigarettes, although the levels of carcinogens were not the same across all cases. Kanagita noted that this research shows that contrary to public perception, e-cigarettes are not harmless products. He warned, "We must be aware that some manufacturers create these products to encourage young people to smoke." In Japan, as in many countries, nicotine-free e-cigarettes are not regulated. However, nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are subject to the country's pharmaceutical regulations. In Japan, these e-cigarettes can be easily purchased online, but they are not as readily available in stores as in Western countries. The health ministry official stated, "You can call them e-cigarettes, but these products are entirely different from regular cigarettes. The government is investigating the potential risks associated with their use and determining regulations for their sale and use." The World Health Organization (WHO) called on governments worldwide in August to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to individuals under 18. The organization warned that these products pose serious risks to fetuses and children. Despite limited research on the effects of e-cigarettes, the WHO stated that there is sufficient evidence to warn children, adolescents, pregnant women, and women of childbearing age due to the long-term consequences on brain development that may arise from the potential effects of nicotine. This UN-affiliated organization also stated that vaping in enclosed spaces should be banned. Meanwhile, U.S. health officials report that the number of people using e-cigarettes has tripled from 2011 to 2013. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that over 250,000 young people who were not smokers used e-cigarettes last year. However, e-cigarette advocates argue that these devices are less harmful than regular cigarettes. They claim that the combination of chemicals and toxic gases in regular cigarettes is carcinogenic and leads to heart attacks and strokes, which are common causes of death in many countries. Opponents, however, believe that this device has only been on the market for a few years, and the long-term effects of inhaling its artificial vapor are still unclear. Major cigarette manufacturers are striving to capture the expanding $3 billion e-cigarette market. Earlier in November, the Oxford English Dictionary added the word "vape," meaning to use an e-cigarette, to its vocabulary.