12 womenshealth.com.au FEBRUARY 2017
ASK US
ANYTHING
SE R IOUSLY,
A N Y THING
AT ALL...EVERY WEEK A NEW EXPERT THROWS IN THEIR TWO CENTS ON
E-CIGARETTES – OPINIONS SWINGING BETWEEN LEGIT LIFESAVER
TO BAD HEALTH MOVE. NOW A STUDY BY THE UNIVERSITY OF
ATHENS STATES THEY’RE AS BAD FOR YOUR HEART AS SMOKING.
CONFUSED? WE PUT IT TO WH GP DR GINNI MANSBERG.“The bottom line is: WE DON’T
KNOW. A few studies support
the idea that the chemicals in
e-cig fluids are less carcinogenic
than those in tobacco. Not only
that, but the act of vaping
might help ameliorate the
withdrawal from the action of
smoking. There is a little bit of
evidence, too, that e-cigarettes
might help people quit smoking,
but the data is inconclusive.
The Cancer Council and Heart
Foundation in Australia are
pretty worried about vaping,
as is our National Health and
Medical Research Council,
and the National Institutes of
Health in the US. Here’s why:1 E-cigarettes are not regulated
and so we don’t know whatadditional ingredients are in
the fluid that’s smoked, and
whether or not they’re safe.
Studies have found some
e-cigarette fluids contain
propylene glycol, glycerol and
ethylene glycol, which can
cause cancer when vaporised.2 There are no long-term
studies to prove e-cigarettes
are safer than cigarettes.3 Studies of vaping to quit
smoking aren’t conclusive.4 Their flavoured liquids are
promoted to young people.Where does that leave you?
Chat to your GP to work out
THE SOAPBOXif they’re a good idea for you.”Is vaping bad
for your health?
WHAT DO GUYS
TALK ABOUT IN THE
LOCKER ROOM?
● Katherine, via email^ANSWER I’m reluctant
to share this intel. Not
because it’s breaking
top-secret bro-code,
but because the reality
is so pitifully dull. The
perceived notion is that we
sit around in our towels,
high-fiving each other over
tales of sexual conquests
exaggerated to the point
of magical realism. The
truth is that we talk about
sport, our injuries, work
and weekends. Otherwise,
we’re probably bitching
about a fellow gym user
who is too comfortable with
his own nudity and indulges
in overly thorough drying
routines. Frankly, you’re
not missing out on much.
LUKE BENEDICTUS