Canadians are Advised on the Effects of Smoking Electronic Cigarettes October 22, 2015 10:21

Generally, e-cigarettes, unlike regular cigarettes, contain lesser chemicals (regular cigarettes contain 5000 to 7000 chemicals and about 70 carcinogens). This is because while regular cigarettes produce most of these chemicals via combustion, e-cigarettes never reach a point of combustion. Instead, liquid is heated to a point of vaporization. In essence, this is one of the reasons why many people perceive them to be better and safer. However, it's still not clear what exact effects, (negative or positive), e-cigarettes present to the consumer or, what chemical levels one is exposed to upon consumption.

According to the School of Public Health and Health Systems Waterloo University associate professor David Hammond, their effects 'depend on how they are being used.' The professor has gone further to launch a study whose aim is to figure out the benefits presented by e-cigarettes - if any. This study set to recruit smokers, introduce them to e-cigarettes and after a while (six months later), check back on them to see the results. As such, this study will be evaluating changes in the subject's smoking habits as well as changes in their chemical levels (within the body).

The study, which is going to be done in Canada, will take in approximately 200 subjects/smokers. Since its being funded by the Ministry of Health, all findings will be published and later on shared directly with the Canadian government. That way, the government will become knowledgeable of its effects hence, be able to enforce new regulations without bias. (At the moment, consumption of e-cigarettes is drawing lots of debate from the government (both at provincial and federal levels). This is despite the fact that they still don't have much to go on with; no one has any idea to what extent they can be deemed as being beneficial).

Although some people claim that e-cigarettes can be adopted when one wants to quit/replace traditional smoking, or simply use them in situations where smoking is prohibited, it's hard to tell the exact reason why people use them. Conversely, e-cigarettes are much closely linked to smoking than using nicotine patches or chewing nicotine gums. It's hence possible that, other than helping smokers quit smoking, it will introduce a new generation of vapor-users into the market. (At the moment, one in every 10 15+ years old Canadian has tried using them. And, the bigger percentage of these users is made up of young people who have never smoked before).

Smokers who may be interested in taking part in this study are asked to send an email to smokingstudy@uwaterloo.ca.