E-cigarettes are no less harmful, say researchers

Deepthi.Sanjiv
Mangaluru: While narcotic drugs continue to be a topic of discussion across the nation, a team of experts have raised concern over the increasing demand for e-cigarettes.
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) is a fast-growing trend among the youth worldwide. A study conducted by a team of researchers led by Dr Nidhi Manaktala, associate professor, department of oral pathology and microbiology, Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Mangaluru, found that majority of the youngsters are unaware about harmful effects of e-cigarettes. The study was conducted in the wake of the increasing demand for e-cigarettes. The MCODS research team included Dr Srikant N, head, department of oral pathology and microbiology and interns Dr Vidushi Gupta and Dr Madhu Sharma.
This is probably first of its kind study in India, that had 710 participants, including smokers and non-smokers across seven countries. The study revealed that youth often took to e-cigarettes as a way of smoking cessation or just to follow a trend. Most people are unaware of the detrimental effects of this habit. “This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of the habit of smoking e-cigarette and the awareness of its harmful effects among adults aged 18–23 years,” said Dr Nidhi.
E-cigarette, a small battery-operated hand-held electronic device, is banned in India, said Dr Nidhi, adding that several misleading myths associated with e-cigarette need to be busted. Around 79.5% of the respondents felt that e-cigarette is safer and healthier and less harmful than the conventional cigarettes. “They often used it as a method of reducing tobacco smoking, as it does not cause bad breath, has no flame and carbon monoxide emissions,” she said.
Pre-filled cartridges of e-cigarettes are contain more than 250 components such as diethylene glycol, tetramethyl-pyrazine and tetrahydro-cannabinol.The digital smokes can cause allergies, asthma, heart diseases, mood disorders and impulse control failure. If overheated, the battery might explode, stated the research paper, published in the latest edition of Open Medicine (Poland) journal.