Emerging acrolein: a pulmonary and cardiac hazard and its association with cigarette, and e-cigarettes

Tobacco smoke in the environment contains the respiratory irritant acrolein. Since e-liquid heating occurs in e-cigarettes (ECs) instead of tobacco combustion, some manufacturers claim that using e-cigarettes has less detrimental effects on the respiratory system than smoking tobacco. But, acrolein is a factor that is present in both cigarettes and ECs and is responsible for the morbidity and mortality of acute lung damage, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and possibly lung cancer. Emerging research suggests e-cigarettes are not a risk-free substitute for traditional cigarettes, sparking debate over their role in smoking cessation versus potentially fueling new addictions and exposing users to toxins like acrolein.