E-cigarettes generate toxic chemicals similar to those found in tobacco and may harm the lungs and immune system, new research suggests.The findings, from a study of mice, indicate that vaping may not be as safe an alternative to smoking tobacco as many people believe.In the experiments, mice exposed to e-cigarette fumes suffered mild damage to their lungs and became far more susceptible to respiratory infections.Their immune responses to both viruses and bacteria were weakened by such an extent that two out of ten animals died.Scientists also found that e-cigarette vapour contained free radical toxins similar to those found in cigarette smoke and air pollution – although at around 1% of the level of conventional cigarettes.Free radicals are highly-reactive molecules that can damage DNA and cell membranes.This came as a surprise to the researchers because e-cigarette vapour does not contain combustion products or tar released by tobacco burning.The findings will be a concern for users who have moved off tobacco to a healthier alternative.

There are an estimated 1.3 million e-cigarette smokers in the UK and the rapidly-growing market is expected to be worth £340m this year.Professor Shyam Biswai, from Johns Hopkins University in the US, who led the research published in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE, said: “Our findings suggest that e-cigarettes are not neutral in terms of the effects on the lungs.“We have observed that they increase the susceptibility to respiratory infections in the mouse models.This warrants further study in susceptible individuals, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) patients who have switched from cigarettes to e-cigarettes, or to new users of e-cigarettes who may have never used cigarettes.” For two weeks, mice were exposed to e-cigarette vapour in a chamber in amounts equivalent to the doses inhaled by humans.Puffs from menthol e-cigarettes entered the chamber every 10 seconds and the mice were exposed twice a day for one and half hours.The animals were then infected with pneumonia bacteria or a strain of flu virus to test how well their immune systems could cope.

Compared with other non-exposed mice, they were much more likely to develop a weakened immune response.Co-author Dr Thomas Sussan, also from Johns Hopkins, said: “E-cigarette vapour alone produced mild effects on the lungs, including inflammation and protein damage.e-cigarette leboncoin“However, when this exposure was followed by a bacterial or viral infection, the harmful effects of e-cigarette exposure became even more pronounced.e zigarette leutenbach“The e-cigarette exposure inhibited the ability of mice to clear the bacteria from their lungs, and the viral infection led to increased weight loss and death, indicative of an impaired immune response.” The study is thought to be the first to investigate an animal’s response to e-cigarette inhalation.e-cigarette laval 53000

E-cigarettes generated just 1% of the amount of free radicals in tobacco smoke, but this still posed a potential health risk, said the researchers.e cigarette onderdelen“We were surprised by how high that number was, considering that e-cigarettes do not produce combustion products,” said Dr Sussan.e cigarette midland“Granted, it’s 100 times lower than cigarette smoke, but it’s still a high number of free radicals that can potentially damage cells.” E-cigarette sales in the US are expected to overtake sales of cigarettes in the next 10 years.e cigarette mackayIn 2013, more than 250,000 American teenagers who had never smoked a cigarette reported using e-cigarettes.VAPING e-cigarettes could trigger deadly allergic reactions and “chemical” asthma, experts have warned.

Ingredients used to flavour e-liquids could aggravate the body’s immune system.Experts have warned people could be allergic to their e-cigarette, or more specifically to the e-liquids they vape An allergic reaction usually happens within a few minutes of exposure to an allergen – the compound that a person is allergic to.Most mild reactions can cause symptoms including sneezing, red and itchy eyes, wheezing and coughing and a rash or worsening of asthma and eczema symptoms.But, severe reactions can also occur, and are called anaphylaxis – a medical emergency that can prove life-threatening.Experts say flavourings are an important part of the vaping experience.But, some contain ingredients that act as allergens.Dr Sandra Costigan, principal toxicologist at British American Tobacco, explained the most common type of allergy is caused by the skin coming into contact with an allergen.SAGS OF STYLE Beat the heat NO NEED TO OVARY-ACT Heat stroke is no joke BELLY BLUNDER BREAST IS BEST THE SHAPE OF YOU BIRTHMARK HORROR Know the limit TELLY HUBBIES FAT WARS SEXTIVAL SEASON!

Less common is  a respiratory allergic reaction or “chemical asthma”.“Although respiratory allergy is much less common than skin allergy, the potential adverse effects are much more severe,” Dr Costigan said.Inhaling allergens over a long period of time can lead to symptoms ranging from mild breathing difficulties to fatal anaphylaxis.To address the risk, researchers at British American Tobacco, have designed new guidelines.There is no official rules or restrictions in Europe or the US, with regards to allergies and e-cigs.Ingredients used to flavour e-liquids could be potential allergens, and trigger a potentially deadly allergic reaction British American Tobacco launched their first e-cig brand Vype in 2013, and now sell the devices across the world.Dr Costigan said: “No two people have the same immune response, which is why it is important to tell people about allergens in a product even if all your data says most people shouldn’t experience a problem.” With regards to skin allergens, Dr Costigan’s team said any known allergen must be labelled as an ingredient if it is present at 0.1 per cent concentration or higher.

We’d recommend against using cocoa extract in an e-liquid.The risks just aren’t worth the benefits That’s the case even if it is found that it can be used safely at higher concentrations.The scientists said this will “help those consumers who already know” they are sensitive to certain ingredients, and help them avoid potentially dangerous e-liquids.To test respiratory allergens, the researchers used a cocoa extract commonly used in e-liquids as a case study.They found when something is suspected as a respiratory allergen, the concentration at which it could be used safely is too low for the ingredient to provide any flavour.While the devices are designed to help smokers quit their habit, studies have suggested they pose risks to the heart, and an increased risk of stroke “We’d recommend against using cocoa extract in an e-liquid,” said Dr Costigan.“The risks just aren’t worth the benefits.” She said all known respiratory allergens should be left out of e-liquids, to be safe.

In addition to skin and respiratory allergens, food allergens can also pose a risk.Any food allergens included as ingredients should be well labelled, Dr Costigan’s team concluded.On May 21, new laws in the UK come into full force restricting the sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids.NEW vaping laws are set to come into force next month restricting the sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids.The new guidelines include: Refillable tanks must have a capacity of no more than 2ml E-liquids can not be sold in quantities greater than 10ml Unless registered as a medicine e-liquids can not have a nicotine strength of more than 20mg/ml E-liquid packaging must be child-resistant and tamper evident Additives including colouring, caffeine and taurine are banned All e-cigarettes and e-liquids must be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency before they can be sold Stricter labelling requirements A wealth of scientific research has explored the health benefits and dangers of the devices, which are becoming increasingly popular.

E-cigarettes were designed to help smokers quit their deadly habit, and are marketed as a healthier alternative to regular fags.The NHS agrees vaping is better for a smoker’s health than regular tobacco.Public Health England’s independent review, published in 2015, found e-cigs are around 95 per cent safer than smoking.The devices allow a vaper to inhale nicotine, without taking in the other harmful substances in tobacco.But the health service also warns, e-cigs are not completely risk free.Various scientific studies have shown they could cause damage to the lungs, be as dangerous to the heart as smoking, and increase the risk of severe strokes.Past research has warned vaping is a “gateway to smoking”, encouraging a new generation to take up the deadly habit And other studies have warned they are a “gateway to smoking”, encouraging a new generation of smokers, getting them hooked on the highly addictive substance, nicotine.Earlier this year, public health experts in Wales called for flavoured e-liquids to be banned to stop young kids developing a taste for the potentially dangerous devices.