Dangerous Misinformation War on Vaping

Misinformation about vaping is spreading at an alarming rate, despite strong evidence supporting its role as a harm reduction tool. Public health bodies, includingHealth Security Agency of UK(former Public Health England) have consistently maintained that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking because it eliminates the tar and toxic chemicals produced by burning tobacco.

Yet sensational claims continue to emerge, often stemming from flawed or incomplete studies that receive uncritical media coverage. The result is a misleading narrative that distorts public perception, undermines harm reduction efforts, and deters smokers from switching to a safer alternative.

One such study, recently highlighted in Medivoice, claims that vaping may be more harmful than smoking. Led by Dr. Maxime Boidin of Manchester Metropolitan University, it suggests that e-cigarettes can increase heart rate, raise blood pressure, and damage blood vessels due to high nicotine levels and other chemicals. While these findings sound alarming, the study suffers from serious methodological flaws that media reports often fail to mention.

Similarly, a study published by the Radiological Society of North America claimed that vaping—even without nicotine—has immediate negative effects on the lungs. The research reported decreased venous oxygen saturation, indicating reduced oxygen intake, regardless of nicotine content. However, with a sample size of just 31 individuals, the findings are difficult to generalize. More importantly, the study did not compare these effects to those of traditional cigarettes, making it impossible to assess the relative harm of vaping.

Another misleading claim came in a letter published in the Financial Times, where Professor Martin McKee referenced a meta-analysis suggesting that e-cigarettes carry the same risk of cardiovascular disease as traditional cigarettes. However, this perspective ignores the consensus among numerous public health organizations that vaping is significantly less harmful than smoking. When based on limited or selective evidence, such claims mislead the public about the relative risks of vaping versus smoking.

Nicotine, while addictive, is not the cause of smoking-related illnesses. The real danger comes from the thousands of carcinogens and toxic substances released through combustion. Despite this well-established fact, misleading studies continue to fuel panic, reinforcing the false belief that vaping is as harmful as smoking. The consequences are real: smokers who might otherwise switch to vaping remain trapped in a far more dangerous habit.

The Boidin study, widely reported in the media, made headlines with claims that vaping could damage blood vessels and increase heart rate and blood pressure. Yet, these conclusions are based on an unpublished study that has not undergone peer review. Dr. Michael Siegel, a professor of Tufts University, School of Medicine, Public Health and Community Medicine with over 30 years of experience in tobacco research, has strongly criticized it, calling it “fatally flawed.” He noted that the research relied on an extremely small sample—just 20 vapers—and that its conclusions were shared with tabloids before any proper scientific evaluation.According to Siegel, if the study were submitted to a reputable journal, it would likely be rejected. Yet by the time formal scrutiny takes place, sensationalist headlines like "Vaping Causes Organ Failure" have already spread, leaving a lasting impact that is difficult to undo.

Clive Bates, a former director of Action on Smoking and Health (UK) who now runs his own consultancy, expressed concern over the ‘irresponsible publicity’ surrounding an unpublished study. The ongoing research has already made national headlines, including: ‘Vaping horror as first-ever study reveals deadly side effects – heart disease, organ failure, dementia.

Misinformation does not just cloud public perception—it has deadly consequences. By distorting the facts, alarmist claims keep smokers from switching to a vastly safer alternative, prolonging their exposure to the well-documented dangers of tobacco. Public health messaging should be driven by scientific evidence, not sensationalism. If the goal is to reduce smoking-related deaths, we must challenge misleading narratives and ensure that smokers receive clear, accurate information. The real danger isn’t vaping—it’s the war on harm reduction itself.

The writer is the President of Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Traders Association (BENDSTA)