Abstract
Purpose of Review: The increasing popularity and prevalence of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) use in the USA necessitates careful evaluation of their proposed benefits and potential public health harms. This report provides a detailed review of current scientific evidence on potential benefits and health risks associated with e-cigarette use. Recent Findings: E-cigarettes were introduced as a less harmful alternative to combustible cigarette smoking. However, evidence on their use as effective and safe smoking cessation aids remains inconclusive. Their rapid uptake among tobacco-naive individuals can lead to nicotine addiction and subsequent cigarette smoking. Summary: Although e-cigarettes appear to be relatively safer than combustible cigarettes, they expose users to known harmful constituents whose long-term health risks remain unknown. While e-cigarettes have the potential to aid in cessation of cigarette smoking when used as part of a structured cessation program, use among tobacco-naive youth and long-term dual use with combustible cigarettes should be strongly discouraged due to excess risk with dual use.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 155 |
Journal | Current Cardiology Reports |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 1 2020 |
Keywords
- Benefits
- Cessation
- ENDS
- Electronic cigarettes
- Harm reduction
- Vaping
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine