Quake3World

Harvesting the genetic data from the participants, researchers looked at the activity of nearly 600 genes, all of which are related to controlling and mounting immune responses. Comparing smokers’ genetic information to that of non-users, the team found that the activity of 53 genes was dialed down in smokers collectively. Comparing e-cig users to smokers and non-users revealed the same dampened activity for those 53 genes but also 305 others—a total of 358 immune genes were muted in e-cig users’ noses.

In follow-up lab studies, Jaspers and colleagues tested e-cig liquid on immune cells from healthy volunteers. Specifically, the researchers collected immune cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, that are responsible in part for swallowing up invading bacteria. When the cells were put into diluted solutions of different e-cigarette liquids, the cells weren’t as good at sucking in the microbes. The data, while preliminary, suggests that immune cells in e-cig users may be unable to prevent bacterial breaches, thus opening the gates to infection.

The researchers also looked at the gene-altering effects of different flavors of e-cigarettes on the cells in the delicate lining of the respiratory tract.
[...]
The point is driven home with one of the flavors, the butter-mimicking diacetyl. This flavor has been found in some e-cig flavorings, but it's known to cause bronchiolitis obliterans, a severe disease caused by scar tissue and inflammation built up deep in the lungs. The link was discovered years ago in food manufacturing, particularly microwave popcorn factory employees who developed “popcorn worker’s lung.”

A concerning factor in e-cig use is that it’s not well known what or how much flavor additives and components are in e-cigarette liquid, Jaspers said.

The concern was echoed by clinical pharmacologist Neal Benowitz of the University of California, San Francisco. “E-cigarettes are not one thing,” he said, noting that the devices, liquids, and flavorings vary widely. “We’re really in the beginning of understanding the toxicity.”

It'll kill you.

YourGrandpa wrote:Smoking is bad for you no matter how you do it.

seremtan wrote:no it isn't. you're elevating your risk of mouth cancer vs an elevated risk of an infection

Eraser wrote:People used to think smoking was safe as well.

Doombrain wrote:I bet you do, after all you swallow Trump.

axbaby wrote:I traded a horrible addiction for something less horrible. I see it as win no matter what the ecig skeptics say.

losCHUNK wrote:One has been proven to cause cancer amongst other things and the other may lower your immune system.
obv not smoking anything is the healthiest option but if it's trading one for the other what would you rather ?

Ryoki wrote:If you don't want to inhale secondhand smoke when on a terrace you're free to go and sit inside. Why you would think it's okay to complain is beyond me, for the exact reason you've kindly already written down; where the hell else should they go? The terrace isn't yours just because you ordered food you know. I'm a quit smoker and i've never (not once) encountered anyone who complained about that, but i'd certainly tell you to fuck right off. Jesus, the gall of it!

It would make more sense complaining about the bastard two stroke engine scooters driving past the terrace...