Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026
Comparing the Effects of Electronic Cigarette Vapor and Cigarette Smoke in a Novel In Vivo Exposure System
Published on: May 24, 2017
Serum Vitamin C Levels in Users of Electronic Cigarettes, Cigarette Smokers and Nonsmokers
Wenxue Lin1, Zachary T Bitzer2, Li Zhang2
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana, USA.
Introduction:
The health effects from vaping electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) aerosols relative to smoking cigarettes is an area of active study. Both products contain reactive free radicals which can potentially cause oxidative stress. Cigarette smokers have depleted blood levels of the antioxidant ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). The objective of the current study is to determine if oxidants from vaping E-cigarettes reduce blood vitamin C levels.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018. Smoking status was defined using questions on lifetime cigarette use, current smoking, recent e-cigarette use, and recent cigarette use. Exclusive e-cigarette users were those not currently smoking cigarettes but reporting e-cigarette use in the past 5 days. Current smokers affirmed all three cigarette-related questions. Vitamin C levels were classified as adequate (≥50 μmol/L) or inadequate (<50 μmol/L). All analyses were conducted in R (version 4.3.3) using the survey and nhanesA packages. We incorporated the recommended NHANES examination weights (WTMEC2YR), along with strata (SDMVSTRA) and primary sampling units (SDMVPSU), to account for NHANES's complex, multistage probability sampling design. Statistical tests included the Rao-Scott chi-square test for categorical variables.
Results:
Blood vitamin C (μmol/L) levels were higher in nonsmokers (55.03) than in current cigarette smokers (39.02) and exclusive e-cigarette users (37.01). A higher proportion of current smokers (65%) and e-cigarette users (66%) than nonsmokers (43%) had vitamin C levels that are considered inadequate (<μ50 mol/L).
Conclusions:
In NHANES 2017-2018, blood vitamin C levels were similar in e-cigarette users and cigarette smokers, and lower than in nonsmokers.
Implications:
Electronic cigarettes are nicotine delivering devices that do not contain most of the numerous chemicals found in tobacco smoke. However, there may be negative health effects from free radical exposure in e-cigarette aerosols. The current study suggests that compared to nonsmokers, vaping may increase oxidative stress.
More Related Videos
08:39Generation of Electronic Cigarette Aerosol by a Third-Generation Machine-Vaping Device: Application to Toxicological Studies
Published on: August 25, 2018
09:30A Microcontroller Operated Device for the Generation of Liquid Extracts from Conventional Cigarette Smoke and Electronic Cigarette Aerosol
Published on: January 18, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:29Stimulants
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
01:30Serum Laboratory Studies, Stool Test, Breath Test
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:15Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients