Vaping Linked with Damage of Vital Immune System Cells

In the last few years, vaping has really taken off in popularity especially among young adults.

What was once used as a coping mechanism for recovering smokers has become somewhat of a mainstream trend among those in college.

According to the Office for National Statistics, last year the number of 16 to 24-year-olds who have tried an e-cigarette at least once was at 31.7%.

Though the numbers of previous and current users in the age group are fairly lower, results show that there is a concern for 25 to 34 year-olds with the highest combined usage in the age demographic.

Vaping has come under fire many times in the last couple of years due to controversies such as the unknown chemicals in them and physical safety with exploding pens.

Public Health England insists that vaping is a good choice for those trying to tackle their smoking habit and is less harmful than using cigarettes.

However, researchers from a recent study found out that the alternative has negatives that can indeed lead to serious problems.

In a study led by Professor David Thickett at the University of Birmingham, it has been discovered that vapours from e-cigarettes disabled important immune cells and led to the inflammation of the lungs.

A laboratory experiment consisting of eight healthy lung tissue samples and vapours from a typical e-cigarette resulted in the inflammation of the lungs and impairment in the activity of immune cells which help filter the harmful particles, bacteria and allergens we breathe in.

The researchers claim that some of the effects were similarly seen in regular smokers and those with chronic lung disease.

Although the results were found in laboratory conditions, more research will be conducted to find out the harmful effects.

Prof Thickett himself believes that vaping is a better alternative to smoking. However, he also thinks that there are effects in the long term for e-cigarette users.

Photo by Donn Gabriel Baleva on Unsplash