Vaping damages DNA and raises risk of cancer the same way as cigarettes, study claims

Vaping damages people’s DNA in the same way as smoking normal cigarettes — but to a lesser degree — a study warned today.

These biological changes can cause diseases such as cancer, according to the University of Southern California study.

Vaping has been viewed as a safer alternative to smoking, with the UK mulling plans to prescribe e-cigarettes to cigarette users to help them quit. 

There have been several studies that suggests e-cigarettes are harmful, but many questioned whether smoking was still to blame since most vapers also smoke traditional cigarettes or have a prior history of smoking.

But a team of researchers at the University of Southern California found that these biological changes happen even in vapers who’ve never touched a cigarette.

Scientists found that the effects are greater in those who use tobacco products.

The UK has stricter laws regarding what vape manufacturers can put into their products than the US. Therefore, the American study might not reflect the effects of E-cigarettes on the British market.

The study looked at 82 healthy adults split them into three categories — current vapers, people who only smoke cigarettes and a control group who had never smoked or vaped.

The researchers then looked at the DNA of every participant and identified any changes in gene regulation within the blood cells.

Disrupting the normal regulation genes can lead to disruptions to gene function and eventually, disease.

According to a University of Southern California study, vaping causes DNA damage and increases the chance of getting cancer. [stock photo]

This research included 37 vapers currently using the internet, 22 smokers, and 23 non-smokers living in Los Angeles. Results excluded were vapers currently smoking.

The researchers took blood samples of the participants in order to find out how many genes had been corrupted.

After accounting for age and sex, they found a ‘statistically significant’ association of damaged genes in vapers — even if they had never smoked. 

Prof. of public and research populations, Dr. Ahmad Besaratinia is the principal author.

“We have data that shows vaping can be associated, just like smoking with dysregulations of mitochondrial genes, and disrupting molecular pathways implicated in immunity and the inflammation response. This affects health as well as disease. 

The study found 12 per cent of affected genes in vapers were in the mitochondria — the parts of cells that scientists say can help keep the immune system working effectively and prevent cancer and other diseases developing. 

Researchers found that the number of genes damaged in smokers is 7.4 times greater than those in vapers.

Mitochondria — the ‘engine’ of cells that produces energy — also play a vital role in regulating the body’s immune system.

The body becomes more susceptible to cancer and cardiovascular disease when the mitochondria genes are damaged. 

Dr Besaratinia stated that “When mitochondria become dysfunctional they release key molecules.”

“The molecules released can act as signaling for the immune system. This triggers an immune response that causes inflammation. It is important not only for health maintenance but also for controlling the progression of many diseases such as metabolic disease, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. 

Last month it was announced England is set to become the first country in the world to prescribe e-cigarettes to help smokers quit.

Even though there is overwhelming evidence about the risks associated with vaping, this medical regulator wants to make it possible for the NHS to offer the service.

To undergo the same approvals as for other drugs, manufacturers can submit e-cigarettes at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

These products could also be licensed by the FDA as a medical product, and can then be prescribed to individuals who are trying to quit smoking.

Currently, the NHS advises that vaping can help smokers – though it is not available on prescription.

E-cig devices typically cost around £20 to £30, plus more for replacement cartridges.

This controversial decision comes even though the World Health Organisation stated last year that these devices were ‘undoubtedly dangerous’.

Virtually 3million Britons are currently vaping, nearly triple what was 700,000 a decade back.

You can compare this to the 7 million smokers currently in the UK. This is more than half of what it was ten years ago.

The researchers said results may have been affected by the higher number of vapers than smokers studied — 37 and 22 respectively.

However, they suggested regulators take not of their findings because of the growing number of vapers. 

Dr Besaratinia stated that e-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular among younger smokers. Therefore, regulatory agencies will benefit from our research.

“To ensure public health, the agencies need scientific evidence that will inform regulation of the manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and sale of e-cigarettes.”