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.

Altria Reports Q1 2026 Net Revenues of $5.43 Billion and 7.3% Growth in Adjusted Diluted EPS
Altria Reports Q1 2026 Net Revenues of $5.43 Billion and 7.3% Growth in Adjusted Diluted EPS
Altria Group reported its first-quarter 2026 results on April 30. Net revenues were $5.43 billion, up 3.2% year on year, while revenues net of excise taxes were $4.76 billion, up 5.3%. Reported diluted EPS was $1.30, up more than 100%, and adjusted diluted EPS was $1.32, up 7.3%.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Maine Approves Vape Stewardship Bill Requiring Producers to Manage End-of-Life Devices
Maine Approves Vape Stewardship Bill Requiring Producers to Manage End-of-Life Devices
The Maine Legislature has passed LD 1519, a bill that would establish a producer-funded stewardship program for electronic smoking devices, requiring manufacturers and importers to manage the collection, transportation, recycling and disposal of end-of-life products, particularly disposable vapes containing lithium-ion batteries.
Jun.12
 RFK Jr. Spokesman Resigns Over FDA Authorization of Fruit-Flavored Vapes
RFK Jr. Spokesman Resigns Over FDA Authorization of Fruit-Flavored Vapes
Richard Danker, a senior public affairs official in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s team, resigned from his role at HHS over the FDA’s recent authorization of fruit-flavored vaping products. In a resignation letter addressed to President Donald Trump, Danker argued that the products could expose minors to nicotine addiction, lung damage, and increased cancer risks, while also conflicting with recent HHS guidance on youth risks associated with flavored nicotine products.
News
May.15
PMI U.S. Launches America250 Initiative, Introduces Limited-Edition ZYN Patriotic Storage Can
PMI U.S. Launches America250 Initiative, Introduces Limited-Edition ZYN Patriotic Storage Can
PMI U.S. launched its America250 initiative on June 1 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. As part of the program, the company introduced a limited-edition ZYN Patriotic Storage Can and released an IQOS U.S. Edition device. Beyond product-related activities, the initiative also includes innovation funding, nationwide events and community engagement programs.
PMI
Jun.05
CBP and FDA Seize 18 Million Illegal Vapes Worth $175 Million in Maritime Cargo Operation
CBP and FDA Seize 18 Million Illegal Vapes Worth $175 Million in Maritime Cargo Operation
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that more than 18 million illegal e-cigarettes valued at over $175 million were seized during “Operation Red Mist,” a joint enforcement initiative involving the U.S. Coast Guard and the FDA. The operation primarily targeted maritime vape shipments originating from China and focused on combating illicit importation, transportation, and distribution activities.
Regulations
May.14
South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe
South Korea Moves Against Synthetic Nicotine Regulatory Gap as Three Companies Face Tobacco Business Act Probe
South Korea’s Ministry of Finance and Economy said on May 4 that it requested the Daejeon Metropolitan Police Agency and Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency to investigate three sales companies on suspicion of violating the Tobacco Business Act.
May.06 by 2FIRSTS.ai