Electronic Cigarettes: Potential Harm to Respiratory Health

A new study published by the University of Southern California in Los Angeles has found that using e-cigarettes may not actually be significantly safer than smoking traditional cigarettes and can still lead to serious respiratory problems for both smokers and those around them.

Electronic cigarettes are often marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes because they do not contain tar, which is a primary ingredient in traditional cigarettes that can harm lung health. However, they still contain nicotine, an addictive ingredient found in cigarettes, as well as many other chemicals that combine to form an aerosol that users inhale.

As research around the use of e-cigarettes continues to grow, medical experts are consolidating a comprehensive report on the potential harms caused by e-cigarettes. A new peer-reviewed study by the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles examines the effects of second-hand smoke from e-cigarettes.

Research question: Does being exposed to secondhand electronic smoke cause respiratory symptoms?

A study titled "The Effects of In-Home E-Cigarette Secondhand Smoke Exposure on Respiratory Symptoms in Young Adults" aims to investigate the potential association between exposure to secondhand nicotine electronic cigarettes and adverse respiratory outcomes among young individuals.

To evaluate their objectives, a research team led by Professor Talat Islam studied six years of data from 2014 to 2019 on the incidence of bronchitis and respiratory distress in high school students aged 17-18. A total of 2090 students participated in the study.

Research process.

In the first phase of the study conducted in 2014, students completed a survey detailing their exposure to electronic cigarette vapor and their medical history. Subsequently, three more follow-up surveys were completed in 2015, 2017 and 2018 over the next few years.

However, among the initial 2,090 students, 23% left the study after completing high school and did not participate in any follow-up evaluations. Nevertheless, the researchers pointed out that there was no significant difference in the occurrence of bronchial symptoms and respiratory distress associated with secondhand nicotine e-cigarette use between those who left the study early and those who stayed.

The respiratory symptoms measured are those associated with bronchitis, such as wheezing and shortness of breath experienced within the past 12 months. Participants who reported experiencing bronchitis within the past year, including a persistent cough for three consecutive months or congestion without a cold, were determined to have symptoms of bronchitis.

The symptoms of wheezing are based on chest wheezing in the past year, while shortness of breath is based on difficulties breathing when walking quickly on flat ground or up a small incline.

At each stage of the study, detailed information about secondhand vapor from electronic cigarettes and secondhand smoke from traditional cigarettes is collected from participants. The definition of exposure to nicotine electronic "secondhand smoke" is based on the participants' situation, meaning anyone other than themselves in their household using electronic cigarettes or similar devices.

After completing data collection for their research, the team turned their focus to statistical analysis. At each stage of the study, they evaluated the association between exposure to secondhand nicotine from e-cigarettes and respiratory symptoms, making necessary adjustments and taking into account whether participants were smokers themselves to ensure the results were not skewed.

Research findings

After analyzing the data, a research team from the University of Southern California found that the prevalence of exposure to secondhand nicotine from electronic cigarettes has increased from 11.7% in 2014 to 15.6% in 2018.

A higher prevalence of asthma and bronchial inflammation symptoms was observed among study participants. The prevalence of asthma symptoms increased from 12.3% to 14.9%, while that of bronchial inflammation symptoms increased from 19.4% to 26.0%. However, the occurrence of shortness of breath did not show any notable trend over time.

According to the data, individuals who have been exposed to secondhand nicotine smoke display a noticeable increase in respiratory symptoms compared to those who have not been exposed. Participants who reported exposure to secondhand smoke were found to have a 40% higher likelihood of developing symptoms of bronchitis compared to participants who were not exposed to electronic cigarettes. Additionally, the possibility of experiencing shortness of breath symptoms was 53% higher among those who had been exposed to secondhand smoke.

The researchers stated that, to their knowledge, this is the first extended report based on research that demonstrates the impact of inhaling second-hand nicotine from e-cigarettes on respiratory symptoms in young individuals.

Source: THE JERUSALEM POST