E-Cigarettes Potentially as Harmful as Tobacco

Many smokers switched to electronic cigarettes hoping they would be less harmful than tobacco cigarettes. But a new study at the University of Connecticut found that e-cigarettes are potentially as harmful as tobacco cigarettes.

Using a new testing device, they found that e-cigarettes with a nicotine-based liquid could damage DNA as much as unfiltered cigarettes. Cellular mutations caused by DNA damage can lead to cancer.

The researchers also discovered the vapor from non-nicotine e-cigarettes caused as much DNA damage as filtered cigarettes, probably due to the numerous chemical additives in the vapors.

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