Warning About the Dangers of Electronic Cigarettes

American scientists have once again warned about the serious dangers of electronic cigarettes. They state that three out of every four flavored liquid tobaccos used in these cigarettes may lead to serious respiratory diseases in humans. Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices that simulate smoking. These devices vaporize liquid substances containing nicotine and send them to the lungs of the user. Unlike regular cigarettes, which have strict laws regarding their purchase and use in various countries, many countries still lack specific regulations for electronic cigarettes. According to the French news agency, the absence of clear laws regarding electronic cigarettes has raised concerns among U.S. health officials, as they believe that candy-flavored nicotine targets the health of teenagers in the country. In this recent study conducted by scientists at Harvard University, fruity, cotton candy, and cupcake-flavored nicotine liquids that appeal to teenagers were examined. The scientists found that 75% of the tested samples contained diacetyl, which can lead to respiratory diseases such as bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis is also known as 'popcorn lung' disease because it is commonly found in workers at popcorn factories who inhale large amounts of artificial butter vapor. Symptoms of this disease include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, which can lead to nutritional problems for the patient. Among seven thousand flavors of electronic cigarettes, researchers examined 51 samples offered by major and best-selling electronic cigarette brands. Their goal was to find diacetyl, acetone, and propylene glycol, which lead to respiratory diseases. The results indicated the presence of diacetyl in 39 flavors, acetone in 46 flavors, and propylene glycol in 23 flavors of these electronic cigarettes. David Christiani, a professor of environmental genetics at Harvard, states that while the greatest concern regarding electronic cigarettes is about the nicotine present in their liquid, there are still many unknowns regarding other dangers of electronic cigarettes. He says that alongside the addictive nature of nicotine in these cigarettes, they also contain carcinogenic substances and can pose serious risks to the lungs. In this regard, the carcinogenic substances in electronic cigarettes are up to '10 times' more than those in regular cigarettes. 'One session of hookah is equivalent to 40 cigarettes.' Air pollution and 'premature' aging of the brain increase the risks associated with smoking and related diseases.