Back in May, a study by Prof. Riccardo Polosa and his team was able to demonstrate harm reduction and even reversal in asthmatic smokers that switch to electronic cigarettes and vaping. People who suffer from asthma are much more at risk of worsening the condition and causing permanent lung damage with regular tobacco smoking, while requiring them to use inhaler pumps more often, resulting in their body building a resistance to treatment. The subject of the study is certainly interesting and provides important data for asthmatic smokers around the world.
The team of researchers looked into the effects seen in asthmatic smokers after reducing the amount of cigarettes smoked daily with the help of electronic cigarettes, as well as those who completely switched to vaping and stopped smoking altogether. The number of participants remained small but the initial results are pointing to a positive outcome for those who switch to e-cigs or vaporizers as an alternative to smoking. Previous studies this year have shown that e-cigs are outperforming all other nicotine substitute delivery systems, making the study that much more important to asthmatics still fighting their smoking habit.
The study included 18 asthmatic life smokers and followed them between 2012 and 2013. The first exams took various measurements and tests to compile the data of the patient’s condition, severity of illness and all other factors affecting the asthma condition. After reducing their smoking or switching completely to e-cigarettes, the patients returned for follow up visits. Out of the 18 patients, 10 had completely quit smoking and remained users of vaporizers instead, while the remaining 8 managed to reduce their consumption from almost a pack a day to about 4 cigarettes per day.
The study did not focus on e-cigarettes being a cessation device or how effective they would be at reducing smoking. Instead, the researchers measured the effect of switching from smoking to vaping had on their asthmatic condition. After 6 months, improvement in lung capacity was already measured for both those who switched completely and partially. A year later, however, the improvement was not just measurable but significantly good. Those who had quit smoking completely had the best results, being able to breathe at optimal levels.
Overall, the results can be directly attributed to the reduction and complete cessation of tobacco smoking. The electronic cigarettes we’re the alternative that allowed the patients to either completely switch to vaping or reduce smoking to a small fraction of their old daily intake. Many concerns about dual users, those who vape and smoke, would be causing additional harm as opposed to good. With this small study, it is promisingly pointing to saying that all smoke reduction is beneficial, and the less you smoke, the better it becomes.