E-cigarettes Show Lower Cell Toxicity Than Traditional Cigarettes

Nov.18.2022
E-cigarettes Show Lower Cell Toxicity Than Traditional Cigarettes
The study found that e-cigarettes have less impact on cells than traditional cigarettes, using extracellular vesicle proteomics for analysis.

On November 5th, a research team led by Associate Researcher Yu Suhong from Fuzhou University published a paper in the authoritative global toxicology journal, "Toxicology in Vitro," which found that the impact of electronic cigarettes on cells is significantly lower than that of traditional cigarettes.


The study used exosome proteomics for the first time to compare the effects of electronic cigarettes and traditional cigarettes on human bronchial epithelial cells. Exosomes are small membrane vesicles containing complex RNA and proteins, which can be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of diseases such as cancer.


Research data shows that cigarette tar leads to more differences in protein expression of extracellular vesicles within cells, and these are significantly enriched in cancer signaling pathways. Meanwhile, differences caused by e-cigarettes are less pronounced. Toxicology studies have also found that cigarette tar significantly inhibits cell activity, while e-cigarette tar did not produce similar negative effects, indicating that the cellular toxicity of e-cigarettes is relatively low.


The paper was published in the toxicology SCI journal, "In Vivo Toxicology.


In recent years, several studies have found that electronic cigarettes may be a form of harm reduction product.


In 2021, the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine published a paper in Cancer stating that e-cigarettes could be effective tools for quitting smoking and also decrease the production of carcinogens in smokers' lungs. In 2022, an editorial in Nature suggested that for patients with gum health concerns, e-cigarettes may be a safer nicotine substitute and could reduce the risk of oral cancer.


According to Associate Researcher Yu Suhong, this study is the first to systematically analyze the safety of cigarettes and e-cigarettes starting from extracellular vesicles, filling a gap in the relevant field.


According to research findings, electronic cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes and may be a reduced-harm product," said Yu Suhong. However, electronic cigarettes are not entirely safe and should not be used by non-smokers.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Canada Vape Enforcement Action Puts VAPME Website, Trademark and China Supply-Chain Links in Focus
Canada Vape Enforcement Action Puts VAPME Website, Trademark and China Supply-Chain Links in Focus
Quebec police seized about 300,000 suspected illegal vape products and froze more than C$1.8 million in funds. Local media said vapme.ca, a website selling flavoured vape products, was shut down during the operation.
Regulations
Jun.18
Special Report | Russia, Ukraine and Belarus Launch Fresh Push to Rein in Vaping
Special Report | Russia, Ukraine and Belarus Launch Fresh Push to Rein in Vaping
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus are tightening vape regulation through different tools, from Ukraine’s stronger enforcement push and Belarus’s proposed advertising restrictions to Russia’s new GOST standard and regional sales-ban mechanism. As black-market concerns persist, some Russian experts argue that China’s tightly controlled but legalised model — built around licensing, traceability and taxation — may offer a more effective alternative to blanket prohibition.
Jul.15
AP Questions FDA Rationale as Glas Fruit-Flavored Vapes Won Authorization Without Added Cessation Benefit
AP Questions FDA Rationale as Glas Fruit-Flavored Vapes Won Authorization Without Added Cessation Benefit
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized two fruit-flavored vaping products from Glas, but a newly released agency memo shows the products did not demonstrate greater smoking-cessation benefits than tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes. The Associated Press said the findings are likely to raise further questions about the FDA’s regulatory rationale and standards for flavored vaping products.
Jun.12
Ireland Vape Bill Passes Dáil, Setting Limits on Flavours, Packaging and Retail Display
Ireland Vape Bill Passes Dáil, Setting Limits on Flavours, Packaging and Retail Display
Ireland’s Public Health (Tobacco Products and Nicotine Inhaling Products) (Amendment) Bill 2026 has passed final stage in the Dáil and will move to the Seanad, with measures to limit vape flavours to tobacco or unflavoured products and tighten rules on packaging colours, retail advertising, in-store displays and sales of nicotine pouches to minors.
News
Jun.26 by 2Firsts Perspectives
U.S. Military Nicotine Policy Sparks Debate as Nicotine Pouches Enter Discussion
U.S. Military Nicotine Policy Sparks Debate as Nicotine Pouches Enter Discussion
An opinion article published by Stars and Stripes argued that the Pentagon’s January nicotine clinical guidelines overemphasize abstinence, fail to reflect the reality that about 30% of active-duty personnel use nicotine, and do not address nicotine pouches as potential harm-reduction products.
Industry Insight
Jun.08
Chinese Disposable Brands OXBAR, LYCO Challenge Vuse and JUUL: Pennsylvania’s Pending List Offers a Glimpse of the Future Legal Vape Market
Chinese Disposable Brands OXBAR, LYCO Challenge Vuse and JUUL: Pennsylvania’s Pending List Offers a Glimpse of the Future Legal Vape Market
Pennsylvania’s June 26 ENDS Pending Certifications list previews the state’s future legal vape market, placing Vuse, JUUL and Logic alongside Chinese-linked disposable brands OXBAR and LYCO. Shaped by PMTA eligibility and state rules, the list shows competition shifting from market share to market access.
Special Report
Jul.06