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E-cigarette smoke makes pathogenic microflora behave more aggressively
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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An unpleasant discovery was made at one of the Californian universities. As it turned out during the research, electronic cigarettes make pathogenic microflora more aggressive. This especially applies to Staphylococcus aureus, which is located in the nasal mucosa and throat.
Essentially, e-cigarettes are a nicotine inhaler, through which the toxicity of bacteria increases when smoke is inhaled.
In addition, nicotine vapors reduce the body's natural ability to fight harmful microorganisms. If the immune system is weakened or if the skin is damaged, an infection in combination with e-cigarettes can pose serious health problems.
It is assumed that smoke activates a self-defense reaction in pathogenic microflora, in particular, resistance to antibacterial drugs is developed.
Despite all the warnings about the dangers, electronic cigarettes are considered by many, especially teenagers, as a fashionable and safe alternative to traditional cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes have quickly gained popularity, in particular due to their aroma and flavorings. However, such cigarettes still contain life-threatening carcinogens.
It is quite difficult to find out what is actually contained in e-cigarettes, since they are not classified as drugs. There is no confirmed data on safe dosage or any side effects. China is the largest manufacturer of e-cigarettes, and since there is no strict control over the products, experts are concerned about this.
In the United States, cases of nicotine poisoning associated with the use of electronic cigarettes increased between 2010 and 2014. As experts note, nicotine, which is present in electronic cigarettes, can cause severe intoxication of the body.
The appearance of electronic cigarettes on the market assumed that addiction to smoking would decline, however, electronic cigarettes have caused the emergence of a new type of addiction. In addition, such cigarettes can be smoked unnoticed even by those for whom nicotine poses a mortal danger to life, in particular children. There are frequent cases when children under five years old tried to smoke electronic cigarettes, as a result of which they developed nausea, eye irritation, etc.
The variety of flavors makes these cigarettes very attractive to children. In France, the issue of banning electronic cigarettes is already being discussed, but this is strongly opposed by the manufacturers of the products themselves.
Despite the fact that manufacturers assure the safety of electronic cigarettes, they, just like regular cigarettes, can provoke cancer. In addition, electronic cigarettes can also cause nicotine addiction in non-smokers. Specialists from the University of Mississippi made an unusual conclusion: more than half of e-cigarette lovers are not real smokers.
It turns out that electronic cigarettes form the principle in the public consciousness that smoking is the norm. This is especially true for young parents who believe that the smoke from such cigarettes does not pose a threat to children.
Research into the safety of such cigarettes is currently ongoing.