Two food science lecturers have come under fire for publishing a study in the British Dental Journal which falsely claims that vaping causes tooth damage.
The duo, from Cardiff Metropolitan University School of Sport and Health Science, falsely claimed that e-cigarettes were associated with cancer.
They also cited a World Health Organization poster which wrongly claimed that nicotine caused a ‘high risk of oral and whole-body health complications’.
The claims were debunked by Newcastle University vaping and dentistry experts Dr Richard Holliday, Professor Elaine McColl, Anthony Weke, and Zella Sayeed.
The four wrote to the British Dental Journal to say they were ‘disappointed to see several basic errors and misrepresentations’ in the paper titled ‘Erosive potential of commonly available vapes: a cause for concern?’
Tobacco harm reduction advocate Nancy Loucas praised their stance saying:
“They have done us all a favour by speaking the truth and smashing the latest lie against vaping.
“The fact that two food science lecturers were able to get their claims published in the first place is surprising, but thankfully they’ve now been sent down the road.”
So what did the original paper get wrong?
The Newcastle team highlighted ‘five major errors’ in the Cardiff paper and said the report authors:
- incorrectly claimed that nicotine caused a ‘high risk of oral and whole-body health complications’. They pointed out that nicotine has been used in the form of NRT for over 30 years and is regarded as extremely safe, even for long-term use
- were wrong to claim that e-cigarettes were associated with cancer, highlighting that their supporting reference did not make the claim and actually stated that ‘no long-term evidence related to oral and systemic health effects exists.’
- wrongly stated that ‘diacetyl is found in most flavoured vapes’ and reminded them that diacetyl was banned in the UK for use in vaping products.
- grossly misrepresented the public health guidance on e-cigarette use as a smoking cessation device and also highlighted that:
- E-cigarettes do not contain tobacco and should not be categorised as such.
Loucas, Executive Coordinator of the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates, added:
“The food science lecturers’ biggest mistake was talking up the WHO’s anti-vaping stance as the official public health position.
“Tellingly, all UK public bodies, including the NHS, ignore the WHO’s advice. They support vaping, knowing it does not erode teeth nor lead to gum disease.
“Once again science and human evidence have trumped another untenable ideological lie about vaping.”
