Vapers are facing health risks that could mirror those seen in smokers, but the pace of damage may be swifter. This warning comes from Marine Gambaryan, who leads the Center for Tobacco Consumption Prevention and Control at the National Medical Research Center for Treatment and Preventive Medicine under the Russian Ministry of Health. He shared these concerns in an interview with socialbites.ca, highlighting the serious nature of the issue for both current users and future generations.
Experts say that the body can show chronic harm earlier with vaping than with traditional smoking. While electronic nicotine delivery systems may not produce tar, they release a range of other substances that can injure tissues and organs. Gambaryan notes that electronic cigarettes can contribute to atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation, and thrombosis, which are the underlying drivers of heart attacks and strokes. In some cases, noticeable effects can appear within a few years, though the timeline can vary depending on usage patterns and individual risk factors. This perspective emphasizes that vaping carries cardiovascular risks comparable to smoking, even if the appearance of damage differs in time and mechanism.
Animal studies cited by the expert show that regular exposure to vapor can cause lasting DNA damage in lung, heart, and bladder cells, with an increased cancer risk observed in some experiments. There are also discussions in the scientific community about potential links between vaping and reduced sexual function, though researchers admit that more work is needed to understand these associations clearly. These findings contribute to a broader picture of potential health consequences related to long-term exposure to electronic vapor.
Gambaryan stresses that more precise conclusions would emerge if a new generation could be studied after having quit vaping. He expresses a cautious hope that a comprehensive solution to the vaping issue might arrive sooner rather than later, helping to prevent additional generations from facing similar health challenges. The overall message is a warning that electronic nicotine products should be approached with the same seriousness as traditional tobacco use when considering long-term health outcomes and public well-being, especially for young people who might be drawn to vaping as a perceived safer alternative. [Source: socialbites.ca]