THIS specific flavoured vape can be more dangerous than others: Study
The authors say more research is needed to pinpoint the specific compounds in berry-flavoured vapes. Photograph:( Others )
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The two of them exposed mice to e-cigarette vapour over several days and observed their lung immune cells in real time using a live imaging technique.
The two of them exposed mice to e-cigarette vapour over several days and observed their lung immune cells in real time using a live imaging technique.
Vaping has been cited as a major health concern, with experts warning about the potential dangers posed by the habit. But now new research suggests that flavoured vapes, one in particular, affect the lungs more than unflavoured ones.
According to a study that compared the effects of flavoured e-cigarettes with unflavored ones, berry-flavoured vapes can compromise the lungs’ natural defences, and make it difficult for the body to fight infections.
The scientists noticed lung injury cases in teenagers in 2019 and decided to study the effects of vape fumes. This prompted McGill Assistant Professor Ajitha Thanabalasuriar in the Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics to collaborate with Erika Penz from the University of Saskatchewan.
The two of them exposed mice to e-cigarette vapour over several days and observed their lung immune cells in real time using a live imaging technique.
The results showed how flavoured vapes bring on a bigger danger than unflavoured ones. The study, published in PNAS, showed that some chemicals in the berry vapes paralyse immune cells in the lungs responsible for clearing out harmful particles.
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This makes the body more vulnerable to respiratory infections. The same effect was not seen with unflavoured vapes.
Vapes target kids
The researchers warned that the flavours can have detrimental effects on the body. Besides, they are available in attractive packaging to lure kids.
"Some of these vaping products that are marketed for kids — the way they’re sold, the type of containers they are sold in — it’s very colourful, it’s really attractive to children, and this can be a really bad thing for our future,” she said.
The authors say more research is needed to pinpoint the specific compounds in berry-flavoured vapes responsible for impairing immune cells. It also needs to be confirmed whether the effects observed in mice also occur in humans.
