The research team observed 123 vapers and 122 cigarettes smokers on the streets of New York City, and 96 people smoking inside two hookah bars. They found that that 63% of vapers and 50% of hookah smokers exhaled through their nose, compared with 22% of cigarette smokers and due to this may be more prone to certain cancers.
“Our findings suggest that the unique way vapers and hookah smokers use their devices may expose the nose and sinuses to far more emissions than cigarettes,” explained Karey. However, added co-author Terry Gordon, a professor of environmental medicine at NYU Langone, caution must be made when interpreting these result. “Because vaping and hookah devices are used differently than traditional cigarettes, we need to consider diseases of both the nose and lungs to evaluate their safety before judging whether one is more risky than another.”
On the otherhand, a previous study by renowned anti-smoking expert Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos comparing carbonyl emissions from an HnB device, an e-cigarette and a regular cigarette, had concluded that the IQOS HnB device emits substantially lower levels of carbonyls than a regular cigarette (Marlboro Red) but higher levels than a Nautilus Mini e-cigarette.
The EU Beating Cancer Plan
Meanwhile last February, the European Parliament voted to adopt Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan as proposed by the Special Committee on Beating Cancer. The voting took place on the 16th of February and this is the first time that the European institution has publicly acknowledged the potential of vaping products as smoking cessation tools. On the other hand highlighted a press release by the World Vapers’ Alliance (WVA), the MEPs did not rule out possible future flavour bans. This despite the fact that science has proven that flavoured products are key in enticing smokers to switch from cigarettes to safer alternatives.
Commenting on the development, WVA Director Michael Landl, said that this first step is instrumental in creating a shift towards tobacco harm reduction. “Finally, an EU institution acknowledges that vaping helps smokers to quit. That is a significant step forward in our fight to save lives by reducing the harms caused by smoking. It shows the power of the voice of individual consumers coming together. Now it is the Commission’s turn to no longer ignore science and the experience of millions of consumers.”
Read Further: UPI
The European Parliament’s Special Committee on Beating Cancer Draft Report
