Experts refute claims of e-cigarettes causing dental damage

Feb.17.2023
Experts refute claims of e-cigarettes causing dental damage
Experts refute claims e-cigarettes harm teeth, citing inaccuracies and praising UK’s positive stance on vaping.

Two food science scholars from Cardiff Metropolitan University's School of Sport and Health Sciences have recently made claims that electronic cigarettes can lead to tooth damage. In response, four experts in the field - Dr. Richard Holliday, Professor Helen McNeill, Anthony Wake and Zehra Sayed - published a letter in the British Dental Journal at Newcastle University, explaining the inaccuracies of these claims.


The truth about electronic cigarettes has been revealed by four experts from the Dental Sciences School of Newcastle University, which is good news for everyone. Nancy Lucas, Executive Coordinator of the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA), made this statement at a recent press conference.


Four experts have written that they are "disappointed by several basic errors and misrepresentations" and have corrected five major errors in the potential harm of e-cigarettes. Lucas added that given the UK's positive attitude towards e-cigarettes, such inaccurate statements are surprising.


The UK has taken a relatively progressive and risk-balanced approach towards electronic cigarettes, with the country's public health sector firmly believing that vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking. While it may be surprising that these two food science lecturers were able to express their views, luckily, they have since been proven inaccurate, according to Lucas.


Four experts have explained that the two authors used a World Health Organization poster and incorrectly claimed that nicotine can cause a "high risk of oral and systemic health complications." They added that in fact, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has been safely used in the form of patches and gum for 30 years.


Electronic cigarettes can be part of a smoking cessation package.


Furthermore, they added that "it is recommended that dental professionals in the UK refer to carefully considered public health guidelines, which suggest that for the best chance of quitting smoking, both support and medication therapy should be utilized, with e-cigarettes being part of this approach.


CAPHRA emphasized that Dr. Richard Holliday, a specialist in restorative dentistry and periodontics, wrote an article in The Times stating that "smokers considering switching to e-cigarettes should remember that this is a good choice for their overall bodily and oral health".


The biggest mistake made by food science lecturers is the same mistake many people make - promoting the World Health Organization's anti-e-cigarette stance as an official public health stance. It's worth noting that all UK public institutions, including the National Health Service, ignore the WHO's advice. They support e-cigarettes because they know e-cigarettes neither erode teeth nor cause gum disease.



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.

Philippines Customs Seizes PHP11.68 Billion($200 Million) in Illegal Tobacco and Vapes in First Seven Months of 2026
Philippines Customs Seizes PHP11.68 Billion($200 Million) in Illegal Tobacco and Vapes in First Seven Months of 2026
Philippines Customs data showed that illegal cigarettes and vape products seized during the first seven months of 2026 were valued at about PHP11.68 billion, exceeding the PHP2.516 billion recorded for the full year of 2025. The figures were disclosed by a Bureau of Customs official during a House Committee on Ways and Means hearing on tobacco excise tax reforms. Vape-related seizures were valued at about PHP1.65 billion, with most cases recorded at the Manila International Container Port. Customs officials said enforcement against illicit tobacco trade would continue.
Aug.26
JTI Makes Third Bet on South Korea as Ploom AURA Enters a Market Dominated by lil and IQOS
JTI Makes Third Bet on South Korea as Ploom AURA Enters a Market Dominated by lil and IQOS
Japan Tobacco International is stepping up its heated tobacco push in South Korea with Ploom AURA. Since its official launch in April 2026, the device's limited First Edition and Glacier White version have sold out, while distribution has expanded across Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi Province and airport duty-free channels. The rollout marks JTI's third major attempt to build a stronger heated tobacco position in South Korea, following Ploom TECH in 2019 and Ploom X Advanced in 2024. At the group level, JT plans to invest about ¥800 billion, approximately $5 billion, in reduced-risk products from 2026 through 2028, with heated products and Ploom identified as its primary investment priority.
Aug.14
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
Australian Coalition Taskforce Calls for 80% Tobacco Tax Cut to Combat Illicit Market
According to SGST on August 26, 2026, Australia’s Coalition Illegal Tobacco Taskforce released a report recommending an up to 80% cut in tobacco excise to reduce the appeal of the illicit tobacco market. The report claimed organised crime groups now control about 80% of Australia’s tobacco market and argued that high excise rates have widened the price gap between legal and illegal products. The recommendation remains a policy proposal and has not been adopted by the Australian government, which said its focus remains on enforcement, compliance and additional resources.
Aug.27
From Vuse, Velo and glo to AI Consulting: Former BAT Content Lead Launches Destreza
From Vuse, Velo and glo to AI Consulting: Former BAT Content Lead Launches Destreza
Former BAT global content lead Andy Parton has left the company and launched Destreza, a London-based AI-native marketing consultancy. Parton previously worked across BAT's New Category brands Vuse, Velo and glo and had also served as Global Brand Lead for Vuse Go. Destreza says it will advise consumer businesses on AI in brand strategy, operating models, capability and agency configuration, using specialist AI agents to support research, strategy and creative development. BAT reported £3.621 billion in New Category revenue in 2025.
Sep.22
UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
UK Directors Banned After 352,688 Vapes Imported From China Were Misdeclared as Medical Nebulizers in £15 Million Tax Case
The UK Insolvency Service said YSK Enterprises imported large quantities of vapes from China in 2023, with a shipment addressed to the company declared as medical nebulizers before Border Force found 352,688 vaping products. HMRC calculated nearly £15 million ($20.3 million) in unpaid VAT and customs duty, alongside about £437,000 in corporation tax. Two directors were disqualified for nine years. The case predates the UK's Vaping Products Duty, which will introduce vape-specific excise and duty-stamp requirements from October 2026.
Regulations
Sep.11
South Korea Constitutional Court Upholds Volume-Based E-Liquid Tax, With Challenged Rates at KRW 370 and KRW 628 per Milliliter
South Korea Constitutional Court Upholds Volume-Based E-Liquid Tax, With Challenged Rates at KRW 370 and KRW 628 per Milliliter
South Korea's Constitutional Court has upheld fixed taxes on nicotine-containing e-cigarette liquids based on solution volume, ruling that challenged provisions imposing KRW 370 per milliliter in individual consumption tax and KRW 628 per milliliter in tobacco consumption tax do not violate the Constitution. The cases stemmed from historical disputes involving importers that reported nicotine as being extracted from tobacco stems rather than leaves. South Korea has since broadened its tobacco definition to include synthetic nicotine, while current tax laws provide reduced rates for certain products not derived from tobacco.
Sep.18