The Potential Benefits of Electronic Cigarettes: A Long-term Study

A long-term experiment involving hundreds of smokers was conducted, in which some continued to smoke, while others switched completely to e-cigarettes, and some quit nicotine altogether. Analysis of biological markers for potential harm indicated that completely switching to e-cigarettes can reduce the harm associated with smoking.

In 1798, Dr. Benjamin Rush was one of the earliest people to suggest that smoking could lead to cancer. By the 1920s, over a thousand cases of lung cancer had been reported. Meanwhile, inventors began looking for ways to reduce the risks of tobacco. In 1927, American Joseph Robinson patented a device that produced electronic vapor and proposed the safe inhalation of vapors containing medicinal compounds without being burned. This idea remained on paper.

The modern e-cigarette did not appear until 2003, when it was developed by Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik. Since then, its popularity has gradually increased. Today, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the world, with smoking being the main cause of its development (in 85% of cases). In Russia, the incidence and mortality rates of lung cancer also rank second, causing 27,000 deaths each year.

Since 2019, the number of smokers in Russia has been declining gradually. According to VTsIOM, approximately one-third of the population in urban areas smoke, with the majority of them smoking more than a pack a day using traditional methods such as cigarettes, cigars, roll-your-own and hookah. However, there is a rapid increase in the popularity of e-cigarettes.

Electronic cigarettes entered Europe, the United States, and Russia around 2007. At that time, there were no studies on the effects of these new products on the body, and as a result, health organizations and doctors were unsure how to regulate their circulation and provide advice to people. Today, the global electronic cigarette market is valued at over $18 billion. Analysis shows that smoking not only wastes money but also has a negative impact on health. Smokers have a death rate over three times higher than non-smokers after the age of 65.

Alternative products to traditional cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Many have successfully quit smoking with their help. For those who are not ready or unable to quit smoking entirely, electronic cigarettes can reduce the amount of toxins inhaled. Fortunately, over the past 20 years, there have been enough medical observations and scientific studies to conclude that high-quality, verified electronic cigarettes can reduce harm to health and help overcome addiction.

One method of monitoring the effects of smoking on the body is to track exposure biomarkers (BoE) and potential harm (BoPH) associated with oxidative stress, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illness.

A new study on biomarkers has indicated that completely switching from traditional cigarettes to alternative smoking products can significantly reduce the harm caused by smoking.

In the UK, scientists have decided to examine the changes in biomarkers of individuals who have quit smoking or switched to e-cigarettes completely over a few months. The transition to heating systems is equivalent to quitting smoking completely for some biomarkers. The results have been published in the peer-reviewed medical journal, "Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine Journal".

The study involved adults aged 23 to 55 who had been smoking for at least 5 years and were smoking between 10-30 non-menthol cigarettes per day at the start of the study. They were all healthy. Participants who wished to continue smoking were randomly divided into two groups: one group continued to smoke regular cigarettes, while the second group was given electronic cigarettes. At the time of publication, 59 people continued to smoke, 127 people switched to electronic cigarettes, 109 people stopped smoking altogether, and 37 people were in the control group. To monitor compliance, participants were tested for CEVal biomarkers.

It is worth noting that participants who switched to e-cigarettes prior to the experiment had slightly higher consumption rates compared to traditional cigarette users (with one e-cigarette deemed equivalent to one cigarette) and those who continued smoking. However, this consumption rate remained stable throughout all six months of the study. The results indicate that switching to e-cigarettes led to statistically significant changes in biological markers, with some even approaching data from the group who quit smoking altogether. Canadian scientists have discovered that smokers and those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease show increased entry of SARS-CoV-2 into their epithelial cells.

Biomarkers for oxidative stress in the body (8-Epi-PGF2α Type III) were significantly reduced, and white blood cell count decreased (indicating a presence of inflammation). At the same time, indicators of lung and vascular health improved, as did the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which suggests a lower risk for cardiovascular disease. Most importantly, those who switched to e-cigarettes saw a decrease of about half in NNAL levels (a lung cancer risk indicator) to 115.7 ng/day. Of course, the decrease was even greater in those who quit smoking entirely, going from smokers' levels (221.94 ng/day) to four times less (59.09 ng/day). However, in order to reach the levels of those who never smoked, the decrease must be 20 times less (to 11.54 ng/day).

It’s important to remember that there are different alternatives to traditional smoking, and they are all quite different from each other. Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes use a special liquid that produces thick vapor. The primary ingredients in this liquid are glycerin or propylene glycol, which are compounds used in smoke machines. Studies have shown that these ingredients do not cause lung inflammation, but they do cause dryness. The e-liquid used in e-cigarettes can contain nicotine (at varying concentrations) or it can be nicotine-free.

Nicotine has been proven to be addictive, but the main harm comes from other toxic compounds formed during the combustion of tobacco - there are about 6,000 of them. Some scientists believe that these compounds increase the risk of addiction to nicotine.

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