E-cigarettes have 10 times the amount of carcinogens as regular tobacco, claim Japanese researchers

E-cigarettes contain ten times the amount of carcinogens compared to regular tobacco, a team of Japanese scientists have claimed.

Manufacturers of e-cigarettes have long claimed that vaping was a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, but in reality the vapour they produce can contain even more carcinogens, according to a study by researchers commissioned by Japan’s Health Ministry.

The researchers found that several types of e-cigarette liquid produced carcinogens such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in levels up to ten times higher than those found in smoke from traditional tobacco cigarette, according to TBS News.

E-cigarettes are not regulated in the UK or subject to the smoking ban, which means that users are able to use their ‘vape sticks’ in public spaces. Along with the flavoured nicotine and the perceived health improvements of vaping in comparison with smoking tobacco, the vaping industry has seen huge growth in recent years.

A recent report on Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) by Public Health England noted that evidence about the health hazards of e-cigarettes is currently scarce and absorption characteristics are virtually unknown, but described e-cigarettes as a “much safer source of nicotine” when compared to tobacco.

However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) called on governments to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to minors in response to concerns that young people were being attracted to the devices because of the sweet flavours on offer. Governments were also urged to ban the use of e-cigarettes in public places and prevent manufacturers from making unproven health claims about the devices.