Dangerous ‘cell paralysis’ vaping warning issued if you inhale specific flavour

While vaping may be seen as a better alternative to smoking cigarettes or other tobacco products, it is not without risk.

And one recent study published in the United States of America has flagged issues with using vaping products that you might not be aware of.

The problem highlighted here is all to do with vaping and, in particular, the kind of vape you're using. We're talking about the flavour.

First thing first, though. Vaping is 'substantially less harmful than smoking', so says the NHS. So if you're doing it to quit the ciggies, well done you and keep it up. But it's not perfect.

NHS and vaping

"Vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins and at lower levels than smoking cigarettes," the health service says.

"Switching to vaping significantly reduces your exposure to toxins that can cause cancer, lung disease, and diseases of the heart and circulation like heart attack and stroke. These diseases are not caused by nicotine, which is relatively harmless to health."

It is not without harm, though; something even its staunchest supporters would not.

On this, new research into what harm vaping does do has been recently published showcasing how it might impact your body in a bad way, without you knowing.

Vaping isn't without risk despite it being better than smoking (Getty Stock Images)

Research explained and 'cell paralysis'

Assistant Professor Ajitha Thanabalasuriar fro the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University teamed up with Erika Penz from the University of Saskatchewan to conduct the research.

In particular, their focus compared effects of flavoured e-cigarettes to those without, that are unflavoured.

While previous research has shown that all forms of vaping can be harmful, the duo said this study added to a growing body of evidence demonstrating harms of adding flavouring. Working together, Thanabalasuriar and Penz exposed mice to e-cigarette vapour over several days.

They used a live imaging technique to observe their lung immune cells in real time.

The study, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), showed that specific chemicals in berry flavoured vapes 'paralyse immune cells in the lungs responsible for clearing out harmful particles', the study says.

The research team (L-R) of Ziyi Li; Ajitha Thanabalasuriar; Amelia Kulle; and Ashley Kwak (McGill University)

What does 'cell paralysis' do?

By impacting the immune cells that look after our lungs, the berry flavoured vape leaves your body more vulnerable to respiratory infections, their findings said. The unflavoured ones did not have that effect.

Thanabalasuriar said: “We need to be careful about the types of flavours that we're including in these products. They can have detrimental effects.

"I think that's really the take-home message, especially some of these vaping products that are marketed for kids — the way they're sold, the type of containers they are sold in — it's very colourful, it's really attractive to children, and this can be a really bad thing for our future."

Disposable vapes are being banned in the UK (Getty Stock Images)

Crackdown on flavours

In the UK, plans are afoot to restrict certain flavours that politicians say come across as appealing to children.

Packaging and displays will also be restricted significantly as they are with cigarettes.

Henry Gregg, Director of External Affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, said: "It’s high time to put a stop to the vaping industry marketing their products towards children with cheap prices and appealing flavour options. It’s good to see increased powers to regulate vape branding, promotion and flavours in this bill and further powers of enforcement."