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More and more people are choosing to smoke e-cigarettes, which appear to be safer than traditional cigarettes for one simple reason: people don't light them to smoke.

Since no tobacco is burned in e-cigarettes, they do not produce countless new chemicals, including about 60 known carcinogens.

However, recent research suggests that some popular e-cigarettes heat up too hot, potentially releasing small amounts of carcinogens in concentrations similar to those found in cigarettes.

More information on: Does vaping cause lung damage and cancer?

Is vaping safe?

A study to be published in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research has found that high-powered electronic cigarettes, known as “tank systems,” produce formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, in addition to the nicotine vapor inhaled by users.

The poison is created when liquid nicotine and other ingredients in e-cigarettes are exposed to high temperatures. Another study came to similar results.

The long-term effects of inhaling nicotine vapor are unknown, but there is no evidence that it causes cancer or heart disease.

Many researchers say that e-cigarettes ultimately prove to be much safer than traditional cigarettes.

Both studies focused on the tank system, a fast-growing member of the e-cigarette family. Unlike disposable e-cigarettes, which look and feel more like traditional cigarettes, tank systems are typically larger devices heated with a variable-voltage battery.

Users fill them with liquid nicotine or e-liquid and these devices vaporize the liquid quickly, creating thick smoke and a massive nicotine hit.

The first study, led by Maciej L. Goniewicz of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, says that users of these systems “want more nicotine, but the problem is that they also inhale more toxic substances.”

The second study examined how people use these devices to produce more efficient vapor by dripping liquid onto a heating element.

The e-liquid heats up so much that formaldehyde and related toxins “reach the concentrations found in cigarettes,” said Dr. Alan Shihadeh of the American University of Beirut, who led the study.

Both studies show that intense heat can change the composition of e-liquids and create new chemicals. The researchers say the chemical reaction applies not only to liquid nicotine, but also to two other key ingredients in most e-liquids: vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol.

Roswell's study found that toxin levels increased significantly when battery voltage was increased from 3.2 to 4.8 volts.

Roswell's study states: “This finding suggests that under certain conditions, e-cigarettes may expose users to the same or even higher concentrations of carcinogenic formaldehyde as tobacco smoke.”

Conventional cigarettes produce dozens of carcinogens, said Prue Talbot of the University of California, Riverside.

E-cigarettes generally do not generate enough heat to cause combustion, which is a key reason health authorities believe they will ultimately prove less harmful than cigarettes.

Dr. Shihadeh said: “If I were in a torture chamber and I was forced to smoke something, I would prefer e-cigarettes to regular cigarettes.”

What effects does vaping have on your lungs?

Vaping can have various effects on lung health, as shown by various studies and reports. Here are some key points based on the search results provided:

1. Signs of lung damage

There is increasing evidence that electronic nicotine delivery systems can cause lung damage.

In the United States, a specific outbreak of lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarettes, known as E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI), has been reported, involving a significant number of cases and deaths.

2. Role of vitamin E acetate (VEA)

Vitamin E acetate, a common additive in THC-containing e-cigarettes, probably plays a significant role in the development of lung damage.

However, other chemicals cannot be excluded due to insufficient evidence.

3. Inflammation and cell damage

Inhalation of certain chemicals contained in e-cigarette aerosols can damage lung cells, leading to necrosis and an inflammatory response, which in turn can result in pathological inflammation.

4. Changes in the immune status

Long-term daily inhalation of e-cigarette aerosols can alter the immune state of the lungs and potentially lead to conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

5. Direct toxicity of chemicals

Certain chemicals such as diacetyl, which is added to e-liquids as a flavoring, can cause lung diseases such as bronchiolitis obliterans, a disease characterized by narrowing of the small airways.

6. Effects of chronic vaping

Chronic exposure to e-cigarettes can have long-term effects on the respiratory system, including possible inflammation and injury.

7. Impact on non-users

The aerosols generated by e-cigarettes can increase indoor particulate matter concentrations and contain potentially harmful substances that pose a risk to both users and non-users.

8. Danger of addiction through nicotine

The nicotine contained in e-cigarettes is highly addictive. Non-smokers who use e-cigarettes can become addicted to nicotine and find it difficult to quit smoking.

9. Regulatory measures

Different countries have different approaches to regulating e-cigarettes. Some countries have banned their sale entirely, while others regulate them as consumer products, medicines or tobacco products.

10. Further research needed

Further research is needed to understand the long-term health consequences of vaping, particularly in different age groups, and to develop evidence-based interventions to help people quit e-cigarettes.

It is important to note that while e-cigarettes are often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, they are not without risks. The best approach for lung health is to avoid both e-cigarette use and tobacco products.

Can a vaporizer cause cancer?

Like e-cigarettes, vaporizers are devices that heat a liquid to create an aerosol that the user then inhales.

Although often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, there are growing concerns about the potential health risks associated with vaping, including cancer risk. Here's what we know based on the available data:

1. Presence of harmful substances: E-cigarettes and e-liquids contain a number of substances that are known or suspected to be harmful, including nicotine derivatives, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals and aldehydes. 12.
2. Potential oncogenicity: There is evidence that some of these substances may have transforming and cytotoxic effects in vitro, raising concerns about their potential to cause cancer. 12.
3. Increased cancer risk: A review of current data suggests that there is a clear cause for concern regarding the potential oncogenicity of e-cigarettes and e-liquids, with a strong scientific basis 12.
4. Long-term effects: Given the lag times observed with tobacco smoke, which can be up to 20 years, the long-term public health impacts of vaping are a significant concern. 12.
5. Need for further research: Although research is not yet conclusive, the potential risks of vaping need to be further investigated. There is a call for stricter controls and regulations of these products to mitigate potential health risks. 12.
6. Similar risks to smoking: Both vaping and smoking carry similar risks for developing lung cancer, and people with a history of vaping or tobacco use have a higher risk of lung cancer 14.
7. MD Anderson Cancer Center's view: Cigarette smoking is known to be a risk factor for several types of cancer, including lung cancer. The center recognizes the concern about whether vaping could also contribute to lung cancer. 15.