Abstrakt

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become a global phenomenon, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Although they are marketed as supposedly safer alternatives to conventional cigarettes, a growing body of evidence points to significant health risks. This narrative review summarizes the current evidence on the harmful and addictive potential of e-cigarettes, focusing on pulmonary effects, cardiovascular impacts, cytotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and addiction potential. E-cigarette aerosols induce inflammatory reactions in bronchial epithelial cells, impair mucociliary clearance, and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. Acute cardiovascular effects include elevated blood pressure and arterial stiffness, with growing evidence of endothelial dysfunction. Although e-cigarette users are exposed to lower concentrations of carcinogens than conventional cigarette smokers, genotoxicity has been demonstrated in multiple experimental systems. Modern nicotine salt devices deliver nicotine at rates comparable to those of conventional cigarettes and contribute to a significant risk of addiction, particularly among adolescents. E-cigarette use among adolescents is consistently associated with later initiation of cigarette smoking, with odds ratios of 3 – 5 in longitudinal studies. In summary, e-cigarettes are anything but harmless and pose significant health risks, particularly for young people and those who have not previously smoked.

Autoreninformation

Autoren

• E. Groth^{1, 2}
• M. Lüthgen^{2, 3}
• D. Drömann^{2, 3}
• K. Franzen^{2, 3}

Abteilungen

• ¹ Abteilung für Pneumologie, LungenClinic Grosshansdorf, Großhansdorf,
• ² Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung (DZL), Großhansdorf,
• ³ Medizinische Klinik III, Universität zu Lübeck/Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck

Adresse

PD Dr. med. Klaas F. Franzen
Universität zu Lübeck
Medizinische Klinik III
Ratzeburger Allee 160
23538 Lübeck
Email: [email protected]

Log in for Subscribers

Citation