Flavoured e-cigarettes can kill lung cells, even without nicotine

The vapour from e-cigarettes can kills the type of cells that line the airways and disrupt the burying of dead cells by the immune system, according to Australian researchers. The researchers exposed bronchial epithelial cells, the types of cells that line the airways, to three brands of apple flavoured vaping liquid both with and without nicotine. They found that the vapour was toxic to the cells and could trigger cell death. They also showed that extracts of the vapour interfered with the immune system by altering the functioning of macrophages, the cells that lock away dead and dying cells in our bodies. The effects were found even in products without nicotine. The researchers say this shows that e-cigarettes should not be considered harmless to non-smokers and their effects may go far beyond cell toxicity.