The debate often revolves around what is less harmful—traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes. But perhaps we’re asking the wrong question.
As we know traditional cigarettes are known to cause oral cancer, periodontal disease, tooth loss, cardiovascular disease, and countless other health complications. E-cigarettes were introduced as a “safer alternative,” yet growing evidence links them to dry mouth, gum inflammation, altered oral microbiota, nicotine addiction.
Also another potential long-term health risks associated with E-cigarettes is that we still don’t fully understand their effects on the body due to limited studies.
One burns tobacco. The other vaporizes chemicals. One has decades of evidence proving its harm. The other is still accumulating it. Yet both have something in common: Neither contributes to better oral health or promotes overall well-being. And also neither of the two is risk-free.
As healthcare professionals, perhaps the goal should not be helping people choose between two harmful products—but helping them move toward a future free from nicotine dependence altogether.
The real question is not: Why are we normalizing either as a healthy choice?
What are your thoughts?
MBH/PS