Several reports have emerged promoting electronic smoking as a "better" alternative to regular cigarettes in an effort to quit this harmful habit. However, the health risks of e-cigarettes are also extensive. In this regard, the "Mirror" website published a report explaining what happens to the body when using e-cigarettes, after speaking with two specialized doctors about the harms.
#### Immediate Effects
Dr. Kiywan Khan, a general practitioner at the Harley Street Clinic in London, states that electronic smoking allows the body to absorb nicotine quickly, resulting in an immediate increase in heart rate and blood pressure. He said, "The sudden rush of nicotine stimulates the release of dopamine, creating a sense of pleasure. Depending on the nicotine level in the e-liquid, e-cigarette smokers may feel a state of relaxation or alertness." It can also cause immediate irritation to the throat and the lining of the lungs, which may lead to coughing or dry mouth.
Specialist expert GP Thova Amuthan agrees, explaining that e-cigarettes also release smoke containing harmful substances, such as ultrafine particles and volatile organic compounds. As for regular cigarettes, the immediate consequences are slightly different. Although nicotine reaches the brain quickly, providing a sense of addiction and comfort, carbon monoxide (CO) also starts to bind with hemoglobin in red blood cells, reducing the blood's ability to carry oxygen. Amuthan adds, "Additionally, tar (sticky residue) coats the airways and lungs, impairing ciliary function and increasing mucus production, which can hinder lung function and increase susceptibility to respiratory infections."
#### After 10 Minutes
Dr. Khan states that after 10 to 30 minutes of using e-cigarettes, one might feel "jitters or anxiety," but heart rate and blood pressure will stabilize during this period. However, Amuthan notes that inhaling the volatile particles in e-cigarettes could cause acute lung irritation.
#### After 30 Minutes
Amuthan explains that the acute effects of electronic smoking after 30 minutes of use have not been studied extensively, but they may lead to "short-term changes in cardiovascular function and lung physiology." He adds, "The inflammatory response caused by the volatile particles may contribute to airway irritation and respiratory symptoms, although the long-term consequences remain uncertain."
#### After One Hour (Craving Phase)
Dr. Khan warns of irritation or the urge to smoke again one hour after using e-cigarettes due to "the onset of withdrawal symptoms." However, the residual effects of nicotine "continue to cause ongoing changes in heart rate and blood pressure," according to Amuthan.
#### Long-term Effects
In 2022, experts in the UK reviewed international evidence and found that "in the short and medium term, electronic smoking poses a small part of the risks associated with smoking." The UK's National Health Service (NHS) states that since e-smoking has not been around for long, it is difficult to know the long-term usage risks. Dr. Khan agrees that further research is needed for a better understanding of long-term risks. However, he says that some evidence points to potential health risks associated with chronic use of e-cigarettes, including chronic lung damage and respiratory problems.
