In France, there are about three million vapers. While some have chosen fruity liquids, others are turning to more classic products such as mint. However, this choice would not be without risk to health. According to a recent study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and published in Respiratory Research, mint flavoring produces more vapor particles. It is also associated with deterioration of lung function in its followers.
To achieve this finding, the scientists were able to rely on a robot that mimics the mechanics of human breathing and vaping behavior. Thanks to this, they noticed that electronic cigarette liquids containing menthol generate a greater number of toxic microparticles. Based on the records of vapers, the researchers also report that followers of the mint-flavored electronic cigarette took shallower breaths and had lower lung function.
“Many people, especially young people, mistakenly assume that vaping is safe, but even nicotine-free vaping mixes contain many compounds that can potentially damage the lungs,” said the paper’s lead author, Kambaz H. Benam, associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. And to add: “Just because something is safe to eat as food doesn’t mean it’s safe to inhale. »
In August 2021, a previous study published in the scientific journal Pharmacology
Worldwide, the vaping market continues to expand and records a turnover of 820 million euros, recalls Le Figaro. What does the regulation say about e-cigarette related products? On its site, ANSES details that the current framework limits “the nicotine concentration of e-liquids to 20 mg/ml and the volume of refill bottles to 10 ml”. European Directive 2014/40/EU obliges “manufacturers and importers to transmit to the competent authorities, prior to any marketing on European territory, a certain amount of information on the characteristics, composition and emissions of products”.
