Vaping has been creating a path to a better solution for millions of long term smokers who have been unable to kick their habit for the long term despite constant highlights in the media that drives to discredit vaping. So when new research is published suggesting that vaping can be a viable tool to assist those wanting to quit smoking, it shows promise for a smokeless future.
Recently Ohio State University conducted and published a study focusing on the impact vaping has on lung inflammation. The study was conducted by Dr. Min-Ae Song and a full team to understand the differences in the effects on the lungs between chronic smoking and chronic vaping.
Many studies in the past have focused on tobacco smoke exposure biomarkers in urine or in blood, but have yet to spotlight the effects on the lungs. So in order to target effects in the lungs, Dr. Song arranged a series of bronchoscopies over a four week period on 30 individuals who had never smoked. Half the group continued not vaping or smoking at all, while the other half was requested to vape nicotine and flavor free e-cigarettes that contained propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) for the trial period.
Despite the small test size, the study concluded, “There were no significant differences in changes of inflammatory cell counts or cytokines between baseline and follow-up, comparing the control and e-cig groups” ( Effects of Electronic Cigarette Use on the Lung: A Clinical Trial, 16 Oct 2018, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3265567 ).
This study is significant because it is the first experimental demonstration of the effects of e-cig use on human lungs among never-smokers. And with the continuation of such studies, we will be able to move forward to improve awareness of the benefits of vaping as a valuable aid to millions of people attempting to quit smoking.
