E-Cigarettes Cause 'Strikingly Similar' Lung Gene Mutations Compared to Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes. They epitomize a bad habit, made 'healthy'--or at least, we'd like to think so.

Though some studies show that this device can save you money, time and provide the pleasures of smoking without the harmful side-effects, many health officials aren't so sure.

Various studies have also estimated the potential health risks of this alternative method to smoking, showing that it could be just as dangerous. 

A recent study conducted by researchers from Boston University shows what appear to be "striking similarties" between the effect of vaporized e-liquid and tobacco smoke on human cells.

"They may be safer [than tobacco], but our preliminary studies suggest that they may not be benign," said lead study author Avrum Spira, a genomics and lung cancer researcher at the university, via The Daily Mail.  

For the study, researchers examined bronchial cells in a culture medium. They found that as the cells were exposed to e-cig vapor that contained nicotine, they showed similar gene mutations to those that were exposed to tobacco smoke. Researchers note that this news is particularly concerning as the allegedly 'safe' alternative may also increase the risk of cancer.

Further studies will be conducted in order to determine if nicotine can be blamed as the carcinogenic contribution that makes plain old cigarettes so harmful. Or, if it's the toxic chemical combinations found in the products that makes them addictive.

And though many health experts agree that e-cigs might be less dangerous than traditional cigarettes, how big is the difference?

"These studies will determine the impact of e-cig exposure on lung carcinogenicity and provide needed scientific guidance to the FDA regarding the physiologic effects of e-cigs," Spira concluded.

More information  regarding the finding can be seen via the journal Nature.