Are e-cigarettes the safer option?

E-cigarettes are seen as a healthier alternative to regular cigarettes, but research suggests they could be a gateway to a serious smoking habit.

A new study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics has found that young people who use e-cigarettes have a higher chance of smoking conventional cigarettes later on.

The research found that within a year, young people aged between 16 and 26 who smoke e-cigarettes are more likely to move on to regular cigarettes compared to peers who don’t use e-cigarettes.

Out of the 694 people surveyed, 37.5% of those who smoked e-cigarettes had progressed to cigarettes within a year. Of those who didn’t smoke at all, 9.6 per cent had taken up cigarettes.

The authors state that because the pool was so small, it could be assumed that the health risk of smoking e-cigarettes may not be substantial. However they do note other data that suggests more young people are starting to use e-cigarettes. They warn that any overlap should be monitored.

E-cigarettes have been a much-debated topic since they became available with questions over their safety and whether they actually help smokers quit. Currently no assessment of e-cigarettes has been undertaken. With the quality and safety are unknown, they're not approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

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While e-cigarettes are not carcinogenic, nicotine can still cause inflammation to the lungs, increase heart rate and blood pressure.

Bottom line: nicotine is highly addictive, regardless of whether you're smoking or vaping it.

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