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E-cigarettes are as harmful as cigarettes and could cause cancer, claims study
Findings from the National Consumers' Institute said it tested ten different rechargable and disposable models for carcinogenic and toxic properties Researchers 'detected a significant quantity of carcinogenic molecules in the vapour of these cigarettes which have thus far gone undetected' Report also criticised certain models for lacking child-proof safety caps because nicotine levels contained could be lethal to children
By Ian Sparks PUBLISHED: 12:33 GMT, 26 August 2013 | UPDATED: 12:52 GMT, 26 August 2013

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Electronic cigarettes contain carcinogenic chemicals that make some as harmful as normal tobacco, a new French study has claimed. The report comes after government plans announced in May this year to ban electronic cigarettes from public places in France. Now monthly magazine 60 Millions Consommateurs (60 Million Consumers) has branded the devices as 'far from the harmless gadgets they're sold as by manufacturers'.

Electronic cigarettes contain carcinogenic chemicals that make some as harmful as normal tobacco, a new French study has claimed

The magazine - which reports the findings of the National Consumers' Institute - said it tested ten different rechargable and disposable models for carcenogenic and toxic properties. Editor Thomas Laurenceau wrote: 'We detected a significant quantity of carcinogenic molecules in the vapour of these cigarettes which have thus far gone undetected. 'In three models out of ten the levels of the carcinogenic compound formaldehyde come close to those of a conventional cigarette. 'The highly toxic molecule acrolein was also detected in the vapours of e-cigarettes, sometimes at levels even higher than in traditional cigarettes.' The report also criticised certain models for lacking child-proof safety caps because nicotine levels contained in the liquid content of an electronic cigarette could be lethal to children. Mr Laurenceau added: 'It's not a reason to ban them, but a good reason to control them.'

Toxic levels of various molecules were found in some of the e-cigarettes meaning they could be just as dangerous as traditional cigarettes. Image shows lung cancer cells

French Health Minister Marisol Touraine announced in May that the ban on smoking in public places would be extended to cover electronic cigarettes, and that they would be subject to the same controls as tobacco. The move has sparked outrage among sellers and users of the battery-powered devices which contain liquid nicotine that is turned into a vapor when inhaled. Ms Touraine said: 'The e-cigarette is not an ordinary product. 'We need to apply the same measures as there are for tobacco.
'That means making sure it cannot be smoked in public places, that its sale is restricted to over 18s and that firms are not allowed to advertise the products.'

E-cigarettes are currently legal to use in bars and restaurants and all other public places, where traditional smoking has been banned for five years. A ban would harm the booming e-cigarette industry in France, where around one million people now use the gadgets, vendors insist. Darren Moon, the English owner of online store Vapshop.fr, said: 'If they ban it in public or in the workplace, I'll be closing my store, or moving it somewhere where there aren't restrictions like that. 'Twenty percent of our business is selling disposable e-cigarettes to restaurants, clubs, bars and hotels. So if there's a workplace ban, I'd have to start firing people.' E-cigarettes were first invented in China in 2003, as many nations began imposing bans on smoking, and are aimed at giving the user a similar sensation to smoking a cigarette. In March this year, health expert Professor Bertrand Dauzenberg told France's Europe 1 radio that e-cigarettes could have the opposite effect that is designed for.

He added: 'These electronic cigarettes could also lead children to start smoking and sale should be banned to minors.
'However for heavy smokers, I believe these will reduce the health risks, but the best way to quit smoking is the patch or chewing gum.'

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Comments (69)
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all Diet pop is probably worse than e cigs. - Mr. Nice Yank , Minnesota USA, 26/8/2013 17:24 Click to rate Report abuse I wonder if the the tax men fund research to find evidence to help justify taking e-cigarettes out of the hands of smokers so that they can instead keep buying tobacco and so keep paying tobacco duties? - AC , London, United Kingdom, 26/8/2013 17:22 Click to rate Report abuse have's anyone yet got "cancer" from smoking e-cigs, or died? please stand up.. - uglybet , PETERBOROUGH, United Kingdom, 26/8/2013 17:22 Click to rate Rating 1 Rating 2 Rating 1

Report abuse I used the electronic cigarettes for about 4 weeks at that point I realised that the gaps before I felt like I needed to use it were getting longer and longer so I just stopped. I haven't had a real or fake cigarette since and it's almost two years now. This summer we had a two week all inclusive holiday in Mallorca based on the money we had saved. The ecigarette is essentially a brilliant idea and people should have the option to purchase then without fear of what's in them or the risk of the goverment taxing them beyond regular VAT under the guise of regulating them. - Mosschops , Bury, United Kingdom, 26/8/2013 17:21 Click to rate Report abuse Here we go again - no vaping in public now - what a load of BS. How about banning drunk people from the streets, breathing their stinking alcohol breath all over people and how about making those who spit their used chewing gum out lick it up! - Aliguar , Northumberland, United Kingdom, 26/8/2013 17:21 Click to rate Report abuse I stopped buying cigarettes 22 years ago, I didn't 'stop smoking' as that was too big a step, I don't smoke and haven't for 22 years but never "stopped smoking" its all psychological you see. I do not ingest nicotine in any other way either. - Im , Cambridge, United Kingdom, 26/8/2013 17:21 Click to rate Report abuse Ellery , USA, 26/8/2013 15:54....and vehicle manufacturers are making big bucks out of motor cars which pollute the air we breath as much, if not more, than any type of cigarettes...-another reason to kick the habit completely. and ride your bike?....Why not do what they should have done in the first place and leave it up to the owners of the establishment...it is THEIR livelihood at stake after all and NOT that of the hypocritical non-smokers ! - Redcapfred , Hinckley, 26/8/2013 17:20 Click to rate Report abuse "e-cigarettes are harmful and cause cancer" claims study Funded By tobacco industry... follow the money guys! - Alison , Devon, 26/8/2013 17:19 Click to rate Report abuse It isn't the cigarette manufacturers causing mischief here. Their main market these days is the developing world and they are also going into manufacturing e-cigarettes themselves. It is the big pharma companies causing trouble, British, American and, significantly, French. They stand to lose a fortune in the lucrative patches, gums and inhaler market. It is probably no coincidence that the UK decision to regulate e-cigs came after that Bilderberg 'secret' meeting which included world leaders and these drugs companies. - Geoff , Croydon, 26/8/2013 17:17 Click to rate Report abuse The government want smokers-their biggest tax funders in the uk. E cig companies making a fortune- check them out on 'company Rating 2 Rating 1 Rating (0) Rating (0) Rating 1 Rating 1

check' - vickyah21 , Manchester, 26/8/2013 17:16 Click to rate Report abuse Share this comment The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Rating 2

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