Nicotine carcinogenic, say no to e-cigars, too!

Hyderabad: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended a complete ban on e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), based on currently available scientific evidence. ICMR noted that e-cigarettes and other such devices contained not only nicotine solution, which was highly addictive, but also harmful ingredients such as flavoring agents and vaporisers.

Dr Ravi Mehrotra, Director of National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research and a member of the panel, was quoted in a report as saying that in the wake of low barrier to entry, the market for e-cigarettes and other such devices is growing rapidly, with the industry bringing in a diverse set of products through a variety of channels. "Use of ENDS or e-cigarettes can open a gateway for new tobacco addiction. On the balance, these have a negative impact on public health."

"It is proven beyond doubt that cigarette smoking is harmful, but there are no long-term studies on e-cigarettes to state it is completely harmful or definitely safe, But, e-cigarette are strictly not recommended because both routine cigarette and e-cigarette contain nicotine. In many cases, youngsters being occasional smokers with an intention to quit smoking would choose e-cigarette but that would also become an addiction as it contains nicotine and is available in many flavors. Hence, to get rid of smoking, behavioral therapies and nicotine replacement therapies are much beneficial." said Dr Nalini, Senior Consultant Pulmonary and Sleep Disorders, Continental Hospitals.

"E-cigarettes must be banned as the latest studies proved that it contains nicotine which makes one to get addicted and fall prey to it more and more; previously e-cigarettes used to be prescribed for the patients to get rid of smoking which is proved as a blunder mistake now. So far, the latest reports say that the vapors which are being added to the nicotine solution in e-cigars are equally harmful as the routine cigars," says Dr Latha Sharma, Pulmonologist, KIMS Hospitals.

Dr Pradeep Simha Karur, Consultant Interventional Pulmonologist, Continental Hospital, advising the alternate ways for de-addiction, said that inflammation caused by the cigars is equivalent to the e-cigars and the composition of the e-cigar liquid is not particularly proven. Along with the nicotine solution there are other components which leads to ill-health and a reason for the respiratory diseases, COPD, and others, to get rid of smoking one can go for medicines like Vupriopion, Varenicline and Nicotine in pure form. "If the same medicine is being prescribed to the minor age-groups, we must be cautious with the dose and counseling must be done on a regular basis for the better improvement," he said.

"Nicotine causes addiction, in e-cigars nicotine is present in the solution which causes craving for smoke. Of late it has been proven that nicotine is also a carcinogen with availability of e-cigarettes, due to the attractive flavors youngsters and adults would easily addict get addicted," said Dr Vijay Kumar, Pulmonologist.

Foundation of India analysing over 300 research articles from across the world and prepared a white paper. It notes that various flavours and attractive designs are adding to the allure of the devices and there was an increasing trend for the use of e-cigarettes among youth and adolescents in many countries. The committee included experts from ICMR, AII India Institute of Medical Sciences, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

"Use of ENDS or e-cigarettes has documented adverse effects on humans, which include DNA damage; carcinogenic, cellular, molecular and immunological toxicity; respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological disorders; and adverse impact on fetal development and pregnancy," the paper noted. ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said scientific and research data given in the white paper could help the government formulate necessary policies on e-cigarettes and other such devices, reports India Science Wire.

The paper has rejected the argument that e-cigarettes could help smokers quit tobacco consumption. Dr. Reddy noted that presently there were more than 460 different e-cigarette brands with varied configuration of nicotine delivery and they came in over 7,700 flavors and were fast becoming a fad among youngsters. "Studies have found that youths using e-cigarettes and other such devices are more likely to use regular cigarettes later. They increase the likelihood to experiment with regular products and increase the intention to indulge in cigarette smoking," according to India Science Wire.