A health expert has issued a warning over the use of Elf Bars – the sweet flavoured disposable vapes that can be bought in newsagents and high street shops.
Despite the view that vapes are ‘generally’ being better than cigarettes, Dr Gareth Nye, a lecturer and researcher at the University of Chester, has said there is still ‘reasonable’ potential for lung damage and cancer.
Elf Bars have become extremely popular across the UK, with online vape platform IndeJuice reporting a huge 279% increase in disposable vape sales during the final quarter of 2021.
However, Dr Nye predicted a ‘whole generation’ of 30-year-olds experiencing lung conditions in the next 10 years.
Talking to The Mirror, he warned: "There is limited scientific evidence regarding these products, mainly [regarding] the liquid used to vape with, rather than the vaping device itself.”
He said that the liquid in vapes such as Elf Bars can contain nicotine and some of the other harmful carcinogens and toxicants found in cigarettes.
Because of this, the vapes still have the potential to cause lung damage and cancer, as well as cardiovascular damage.
Dr Nye added that although e-cigarettes aren’t packing the carbon monoxide and tar found in normal cigarettes, there are other chemicals found in vapes that can cause long-lasting damage to smokers’ lungs.
"A 2018 study showed that e-cigarette users had concentrations of metals and volatile chemicals (toluene, benzene, and carbon disulfide) comparable with those of cigarette smokers," he said.
"These are the chemicals causing the long-lasting lung damage."
As well as lung damage, vaping has also been linked to oral cancers, as well as dental conditions like tooth decay.
Dr Nye urged people to think before they inhale chemicals into their lungs, something he explained causes a reaction from our immune systems, which in turn damages the lungs.
When we've damaged our lung tissue, it’s harder for our bodies to oxygenate blood. This means pressure is placed on our hearts because they have to work harder.
“There is a worrying notion among young people that vapes and Elf Bars are 100% safe, which is simply not true,” Dr Nye said.
"Even no nicotine versions are not safe."
A recent study by medRxiv showed a 14-fold increase in the number of vapers using disposable e-cigarettes like Elf Bars – jumping from 1.2% to 16.7%.
Popular Elf Bar flavours include watermelon, apple and blueberry.
Daily Star has contacted Elf Bar for comment.
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