Recent research from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Dublin reported that heating ejuice in vaping produces numerous harmful substances, and called for urgent public health policies on flavoured vapes. Published in Scientific Reports, the study utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to simulate the effects of heating flavour chemicals in nic vapes. It conducted an analysis all 180 known ejuice flavour chemicals, so as to predict the new compounds formed during the heating process.
The findings revealed the formation of many hazardous chemicals, including 127 classified as āAcute Toxic,ā 153 as āHealth Hazards,ā and 225 as āIrritantsā, said the researchers. Among these were volatile carbonyls (VCs), which pose significant health risks. These Ā substances were particularly prevalent in popular fruit, candy, and dessert-flavoured vapes, leading to the conclusion that vape flavours have a significantly different profile of chemical hazards compared to traditional tobacco smoking.
In response to such claims, researchers have previously pointed out that conclusive evidence cannot be derived from studies not carried out in real-life conditions. Moreover, other studies revealing the presence of concerning chemicals, have found that they are present in such small quantities that they are insignificant to human health.
What is driving flavour bans?
However, sudies such as the above, coupled with alarmist reports about the increasing numbers of minors becoming hooked on nic after being enticed by the flavours, have been feeding a growing fear about the existence of a teen vaping epidemic. This has been leading to the implementation of harsh restrictions and flavour bans, which time and time again have proven to be counterproductive.
Last month, a Dutch court upheld the governmentās ban on sweet-flavoured vapes, case in point based on the argument that flavours attract young users to vaping. British American Tobacco (BAT) had appealed the ban, arguing it infringed on the free movement of goods and would discourage smokers from switching to e-cigarettes, hindering smoking cessation efforts.
However, the District Court in The Hague dismissed these arguments, asserting that tobacco-flavoured vapes remain available, enabling smokers to continue using e-cigarettes as a cessation aid even under the flavour restriction. Yet this ruling ignores that studies have consistently shown that adult smokers are more likely to be successful at quitting and staying abstinent from cigarettes by switching to sweet-flavoured as opposed to tobacco-flavoured vapes.
Source:https://www.vapingpost.com/