Vaping is far less harmful than smoking on the respiratory system, a review of current literature confirms.
The research provides a critical assessment of studies on the effects of e-cigarettes on respiratory health.
The review was led by Dr Riccardo Polosa, director the Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction at the University of Catania, Italy.
The researchers assessed studies on the effects of vaping in pre-clinical models, population surveys and clinical studies of people who’d switched from smoking to vaping.
Studies were assessed for quality of methodology and the accuracy of their interpretation. The authors noted the urgency of addressing common mistakes that lead to misleading findings and reporting.
The authors noted than many smokers who successfully made the switch experienced reduced symptoms like coughing and phlegm and lower levels of exhaled carbon monoxide.
Dr Polosa and his team hope that clearly communicating the message that vaping is less harmful than smoking could lead to a significant public health benefit.
Dr Polosa said:
“The millions of deaths resulting from cigarette smoking illustrate an ongoing, immediate and preventable tragedy that should be fully factored into a rational risk-benefit analysis.
“In our view, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests substituting ECs for cigarettes is an effective method of curbing the use of tobacco cigarettes.
“Unfortunately, consumer understanding of the relative risks is distorted and in the past few years fewer adult smokers have perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful than tobacco cigarettes. These misperceptions have real consequences and require corrections.”
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