Smokers who switch to vaping may lead to fewer respiratory infections read more at here http://www.spinonews.com/index.php/component/k2/item/650

Smokers who successfully switch to vaping say they have fewer respiratory infections.

A study led by Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) conducted an online survey of 941 respondents assessed subjective changes in respiratory symptoms in smokers who switched to vaping for at least two months. The results show that 66 per cent of respondents reported an improvement in respiratory symptoms, 29 per cent reported no change and 5 per cent reported worsening.

Professor Peter Hajek from QMUL said, e-cigarettes are much safer than conventional cigarettes, but smokers are still led to believe that they're dangerous.

The study needs to be interpreted with caution because it is based on self-reported data, and further studies using objective measures are needed. However, the present results provide sufficient information to suggest that vaping does not increase infection rates, in fact lead to a decrease in infections.

Previous studies have been suggesting that vaping may increase vulnerability to infection, but these studies did not use realistic exposure levels. Human trials have reported, no significant adverse respiratory effects associated with e-cigarette use for up to 1.5 years and a follow-up study of smokers with asthma who switched to vaping found significant improvements.

Researchers say that, vaping may also provide some antimicrobial protection through the e-liquid ingredient propylene glycol, but the evidence is needed to confirm. The study provides a reasonable doubt that vaping does not promote respiratory infections and may in fact reduce them.

The main limitation of the study is that the reports are subjective.