For over half a century, the world has known that tobacco is harmful to health. Yet it still kills more than 8 million people a year. Tobacco use remains the worst totally preventable public health emergency in the world. Since the democratization of the electronic cigarette, the debate is launched. 9 questions to better understand.
1. La cigarette électronique est-elle moins nocive que le tabac ordinaire ?
Experts say it may produce less toxicity than regular cigarettes, but there are no studies to prove this. The long-term effects of using electronic cigarettes are unknown. At high temperatures, propylene glycol breaks down and can produce propylene oxide, which is probably carcinogenic. Glycerol produces acrolein, although less than traditional cigarettes.
Propylene glycol and glycerolproduce carcinogens such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Traces of classic tobacco carcinogens, such as nitrosamines, metals, volatile organic and phenolic compounds were also found. The levels of nickel detected were higher than those found in conventional tobacco.
On the other hand, electronic cigarettes containing nicotine increase heart rate and cotinine levels in the blood. This varies depending on the smoker's experience and the inhalation or vaping technique. There may be a risk of nicotine poisoning if oral ingestion occurs when handling the cartridge. Therefore, it is dangerous to leave an electronic cigarette within the reach of children.
2. Quels sont les effets de la cigarette électronique sur les poumons ?
The electronic cigarette promotes alterations in lung function. Acute changes in lung function, such as bronchoconstriction, are less than those produced by conventional cigarettes. Some studies have shown that it causes asthma in children, as well as irritation of the eyes, throat and airways.
There are no long-term safety data. This new way of smoking also causes lipoid pneumonia. Isolated cases have been described in heavy users, linked to glycerol deposits in the lungs.
3. Et à propos du cerveau ?
The action on the brain would only be produced by electronic cigarettes containing nicotine in the liquid contained in the vaping container. Two clinical trials have demonstrated its effectiveness in calming the symptoms of withdrawal. But they do not allow for definitive conclusions, given the methodology used.
There are observational, lower-value studies that show help in reducing withdrawal symptoms. International health authorities only recognizenicotine, bupropion and varenicline as the only medications to treat addiction to tobacco.
4. Les inconvénients de la cigarette électronique
The main drawback of electronic cigarettes is that their long-term effects are not known. The effects of conventional tobacco are established: cancerischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, etc.
5. Quelles maladies est liée à la cigarette électronique ?
There is no known long-term effect, mainly due to the lack of independent studies. Electronic cigarettes were introduced to the Chinese market in 2003 and their use has increased worldwide since 2010. In recent years, health authorities and health professionals have begun to see their use as a real public health issue. In the short term, some cases of lipoid pneumonia have been described.
6. Les conséquences pour un fumeur passif de cigarettes électroniques
The effect is estimated to be less than that associated with conventional cigarettes. Elevations of cotinine in blood have been detected in non-vapers exposed to e-cigarettes. The presence of volatiles 2.5 microns in diameter that can be deposited in the lungs of passive e-cigarette smokers was also found.
7. La cigarette électronique est-elle aussi addictive que la cigarette traditionnelle ?
If they do not have nicotine, electronic cigarettes do not generate physical dependence. The risk of becoming addictive depends on its use as a replacement for tobacco. But it is important to know that electronic cigarettes can sustain psychological dependence on nicotine.
Addiction has a physical component, which is short-lived, and a psychological component, which lasts longer. The electronic cigarette makes it difficult to break the behavior with the cigar, given the similarity with the conventional cigarette.
For the above reason, it is considered that although they help reduce physical abstinence, celectronic cigarettes would limit smoking cessation. This is the reason why many consumers specify their use or combine it with the traditional cigar. This makes it difficult for them to voluntarily access conventional pharmacological help.
Finally, the effect on future smokers is pernicious, as they soften the prevention of smoking behavior and undermine what has been accomplished so far in anti-smoking campaigns. The electronic cigarette could increase tobacco use among youth and "normalize" tobacco use.
8. Arrêter la cigarette électronique pour des raisons de santé ?
Some experts think so, but say it should be considered a medical device.They are still pursuing controlled research in this area. Experts continue to advise traditional pharmacological methods (nicotine, bupropion and varenicline). If a patient chooses the electronic cigarette, he or she should be informed of the current state of scientific knowledge, its efficacy and safety.
The e-cigarette is a battery-powered smoking device, sometimes called a vaporizer, designed to be an alternative to traditional cigarettes. The construction and operation of most electronic cigarettes are fairly easy to understand. However, there is a fierce debate about electronic cigarettes (as well as other vaporizers) in modern society. This electronic cigarette debate is likely to intensify as these devices gain popularity and profitability.
Sources
http://www.lemondedutabac.com/cigarette-electronique-toujours-en-debat/https://www.ottawaheart.ca/fr/the-beat/2014/01/29/grand-d%C3%A9bat-sur-la-cigarette-%C3%A9lectronique-des-experts-font-le-point