More and more people are trying to get scientific information on electronic cigarettes in order to understand and predict how they are likely to affect users both in the short term and long term.

One of the names that is sounding so much in e-cigarette circles is Dr. Farsalinos. He is known more for his scientific findings as opposed to those that are known for peddling hype with no evidence to back it up. Together with a colleague, Dr. Ricardo Polosa, they conducted a study of electronic cigarettes as tobacco cigarette substitutes and the following is a summary of their findings.

E-Cigs Are A Substitute For Smoking.

This was already obvious to users but these scientists established that these devices were another option in addition to NRTs. It is now no longer an issue of quit smoking or die. There are options out there.

Nicotine Labeling.

There were issues with some nicotine levels stated on bottles being either less or more than what was indicated. Content ranged from 85-121% of that indicated on the labels.

They however added that this discrepancy was not significant enough to have any adverse effects on users, but more should be done to align content to label indications.

Level Of Contaminants.

E-cigarettes were found to have contaminants from nickel as would be the case in any product made from metal. These levels were at par with what is present in NRTs and were in the range of 4-40 times lower than what is acceptable in medical products.

E-Juice Flavors.

Much as the flavors are already approved for use in food items, there is need to study the effects of heating these flavors and the long term effects of their inhalation. What currently exist are theoretical models on the likely effects, and that is not proof of anything.

PG Inhalation.

The scientists were unable to prove that there is any harm in inhaling propylene glycol (PG). This is contrary to what has been claimed by prohibitionists about this base liquid.

Effects On Bystanders.

The risk level that those in the proximity of vapers face was minimal or close to non-existent. Electronic cigarettes are much safer for bystanders than tobacco cigarettes by hundreds of times.

E-Cigs As Gateways.

From the data the scientists collected, there was absolutely no evidence that electronic cigarettes acted in any way as a gateway to smoking tobacco cigarettes. Less than 1% of users of e-cigs haven’t smoked analogs while the rest just switch or use both methods of feeding their nicotine craving.

Health Of Vapers.

It was found that there was a significant improvement in the health of vapers but there was need to carry out further research into this matter.

Final Comments.

When one reads this report, a lot of things are made clear. It is plain that e-cigs are safer than analogs and that many aspects of e-cigs need to be studied to establish their long term effects. May be as time goes by it will be possible to assess the long term effects of e-cig use since they will have been around long enough.