The university of Catania, Italy has structured an integrated clinical research program designed to detect early changes of sub-clinical injury in ‘healthy’ smokers who have made the switch to vaping as well as those with preexisting lung disease. The report states that “the initial findings are promising and generally supportive of a beneficial effect of electronic cigarette use in relation to respiratory outcomes, both in health and disease.”
‘Healthy’ smokers were invited to quit or reduce their tobacco consumption by switching to e-cigarettes and changes in lung function were monitored for up to a year. The report outlines significant early positive changes by 3 months, with steady progressive improvements following after. The report also states that participants with preexisting asthma and COPD displayed significant improvements in respiratory physiology, and did not suffer any asthma attacks.
The report claims that “compared to combustible cigarettes, e-vapour products are at least 96% less harmful and may substantially reduce individual risk and population harm.” Closing advice in the report recommends that the emerging evidence on harm reversal should be “taken into consideration by regulatory authorities” in policy creation.
Peter Hayek. Hayek stated: “Many people see nicotine itself as a dangerous poison, but if nicotine is taken without the accompanying toxins (such as with an electronic cigarette) then the health effects would be very similar to drinking coffee”.