E-cigarettes and Teenagers

Aerosol and vapors emitted by electronic cigarettes may end up causing serious irritation to a young smoker’s airways new research cautions. And this irritation could worsen pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or bronchitis.

The e-cigarette assessment was based on data generated by a custom-designed machine that realistically mimicked the human respiratory system. The data showed that, when smoked, e-cigarettes release a sizeable amount of chemical particles. Most notably, those include glycerin and glycol ethers alongside nicotine, preservatives, flavorings, and fragrances. In turn, the smoking patterns of a 14-year old male demonstrated that 47% of those chemicals end up deposited in the lung. In fact most inhaled chemicals ultimately made their way into the lung’s deepest parts known as the alveolar region.

The study authors concluded that e-cigarettes may pose unique health respiratory risks not only to smokers but also to the general public given that 53% of chemical emissions are not inhaled forming a possible source of second-hand smoke.

I’m Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV with the news doctors are reading health news for healthier living.