The following is the summary of “Electronic Cigarettes: A Pro–Con Review of the Current Literature” published in the November 2022 issue of Allergy and Clinical Immunology by Giovacchini, et al.
Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, e-cigs, or electronic nicotine delivery systems, are battery-operated devices that commonly contain glycerol and/or propylene glycol-based solutions that contain various amounts of nicotine. These solutions are referred to as e-liquids. Although electronic cigarettes were initially developed as a potentially less harmful alternative to traditional combustible tobacco cigarette smokers, their popularity among smokers and nonsmokers alike has been driven by a number of factors, including their sleek product designs, an infinite number of appealing flavors, the absence of combustible smoke and odor, and high potential nicotine concentrations.
Furthermore, despite the lack of longitudinal data to back these claims, a large number of proponents have propagated the belief that using electronic cigarettes is safe, or at the very least safer than using traditional tobacco products. In this article, researchers investigate the information currently available regarding the effects of using electronic cigarettes on quitting smoking traditional cigarettes, maintaining healthy lungs, and exposing kids and young adults to tobacco products. Based on a review of the literature that is currently available, it would appear that the risks associated with using electronic cigarettes outweigh any potential benefits.
This is due to the fact that the evidence that is currently available does not confirm the use of e-cigarettes as an effective strategy for supporting the cessation of smoking traditional combustible tobacco cigarettes. This is especially concerning in light of the emerging adverse effects on lung health and the potential future public health effects of e-cigarette adoption among a growing new generation of young people.
Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213219822007085
