NEWS
used to test the ability of conventional
3R4F reference cigarette and Vype
ePen to promote tumour formation in a
specialised cell type called Bhas 42.
After exposure to reference cigarettes,
the layers of cells were seen to become
transformed, clumping together to create
colonies, suggesting that the smoke
is a tumour promoter. By contrast, the
e-cigarette produced no activity.
In each test, the e-cigarette produced the
same results as an untreated control –
there was no activity.
A Revolution in Public Health?
E-cigarettes are a potentially
revolutionary product in tobacco harm
reduction. Many in the public health
community believe that they represent
an historical opportunity to save millions
of lives and drastically reduce the
public health burden of smoking-related
diseases. Public Health England, an
28 ISSUE 04 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE
executive body of the UK Department
of Health, recently published a report
saying that e-cigarettes are 95% safer
than cigarettes. Other groups that
recognise the reduced risk potential
of e-cigarettes include ASH (Action on
Smoking and Health); Cancer Research
UK and the British Heart Foundation.
E-cigarettes produce a vapour and
as there is no burning of tobacco, the
user is not exposed to the toxicants
produced by burning dried tobacco leaf.
Chemical analyses shows that there
are some compounds released into the
vapour of e-cigarettes which are toxic
at high levels, but these are found at
negligible levels in e-cigarette vapour
compared to that in smoke. We have
rigorously tested our products and have
found that the level that tobacco-specif ic
nitrosamines, are present in e-cigarette
vapour is comparable with the level
found in pharmaceutical nicotine
products. Formaldehyde exposures were
at levels well below that considered
safe by the WHO – indoor air quality
guidelines. These chemical profiles
are very reassuring, but we need to
continually develop new tests to assess
the biological impact of e-cigarette
vapour compared to that of smoke. We
can use these tests to better define
and further reduce any residual risks
that there may be to as low a level as
possible.
Several companies are actively involved
in e-cigarettes and next generation
products. The key to demonstrating the
reduced-risk potential of these products
will be agreeing on testing approaches.
We think this means that there is now
a great opportunity for the industry,
regulators and academia to come
together and agree on standards and
testing protocols.