Disturbing news recently published in “Frontiers in Oncology” showed that there was altered activity in 3,124 genes in vapers compared to non-smokers and non-vapers. It’s early days, but the warning signs are becoming increasingly alarming.
Flavour Danger
The study also found that vape flavour and device type were associated with different patterns of gene activity. Among the single-flavour categories, fruit-flavoured vapes were associated with changes in the largest proportion of affected genes: 31%, compared with 2.9% for sweet flavours and 0.9% for mint or menthol.
This is particularly concerning given the appeal of flavoured vapes to young people.
DNA Damage and Cancer
As if this wasn’t bad enough, another report from “Technology Networks” as long ago as 2023 also shows that regular vaping was linked to twice the amount of DNA damage present in non-vapers – a similar impact to that found in smokers.
And there’s more…
Scientists at University College London also found some similar epigenetic changes in cheek cells from vapers and smokers. In smokers, these changes have been associated with the future development of lung cancer.
The researchers stressed that their findings do not show that e-cigarettes cause cancer and that longer-term studies are needed. Although public health bodies such as the NHS continue to regard vaping as substantially less harmful than smoking tobacco, these studies underline that vaping is not risk-free and that its long-term effects remain uncertain.
Ready to Quit Vaping?
In my own practice, I’ve noticed a substantial shift in the make-up of clients I see who are keen to become ex-smokers. I now see more vapers than tobacco users entering the Hypnowellness Stop Smoking Programme.
This unique approach combines clinical hypnotherapy with CBT and mindfulness. It has helped many tobacco users successfully quit, and I now also use it to assist clients who want to stop vaping.
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