E-Cigarettes May Lead to More Respiratory Infections

According to new laboratory findings, vapor from electronic cigarettes may increase young individuals’ risk for contracting respiratory infections due to the vapor impairing the immune response in the epithelial cells that line the inside of the lungs. Lead author Dr. Qun Wu writes, “Epithelial cells are the first line of defense in our airways. They protect our bodies from anything dangerous we might inhale. Even without nicotine, this liquid can hurt your epithelial defense system and you will be more likely to get sick.” Recently the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society of Clinical Oncology issued a joint recommendation to bring e-cigarette regulations in line with those of traditional cigarettes.
PLOS ONE, January 2015