We all know the risks of smoking conventional cigarettes and the effects on our health but what do we know about the risks of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)? E-cigarettes entered the American market in 2007 so this is fairly new product. Researchers are just beginning to start studying the effects of e-cigarette use on a person’s health.
E-Cigarette Health Studies
Recently, a study from the University of California San Francisco Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education, found that daily use of e-cigarettes is associated with nearly doubling your odds of a heart attack compared to people who do not use e-cigarettes. Additionally, if you smoke conventional cigarettes and use e-cigarettes on a daily basis your risk of a heart attack increases almost five times that of a nonsmoker. These findings are concerning because the early belief was smokers of traditional cigarettes could use e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking altogether. Unfortunately, research has found that most people end up as “dual users” who keep smoking conventional cigarettes while using e-cigarettes.
Since e-cigarettes are so new to the market researchers are not able to study the long-term effects of e-cigarette use and the risks of cancer or other respiratory diseases that are associated with smoking conventional cigarettes. However, researchers have been able to document the increased risk of these diseases in animal studies.
As rates of e-cigarette use continue to rise, especially among middle and high school youth, the concern regarding the long-term effects of e-cigarette use increases. Unfortunately, it may take decades to understand the true effects of these products.
Don’t Be A Guinea Pig
So basically the bottom line is this, don’t smoke whether it be traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes. Don’t let the tobacco companies, who own a vast majority of the e-cigarette companies, use you as a guinea pig. Smoking is not good for your heart. Period.
If you want to quit smoking or vaping, visit Kansas Quitline or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).