Electronic cigarettes: review of use, content, safety, effects on smokers and potential for harm and benefit. (31st July 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hajek, Peter; Etter, Jean‐François; Benowitz, Neal; Eissenberg, Thomas; McRobbie, Hayden
• Is Part Of: Addiction. Volume 109:Number 11(2014:Nov.)
• Page Start: 1801
• Page End: 1810
• Publication Date: 2014-07-31
• Subjects: Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Drug addiction -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1111/add.12659
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-2140

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="add12659-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>We reviewed available research on the use, content and safety of electronic cigarettes (EC), and on their effects on users, to assess their potential for harm or benefit and to extract evidence that can guide future policy.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12659-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Studies were identified by systematic database searches and screening references to February 2014.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12659-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>EC aerosol can contain some of the toxicants present in tobacco smoke, but at levels which are much lower. Long‐term health effects of EC use are unknown but compared with cigarettes, EC are likely to be much less, if at all, harmful to users or bystanders. EC are increasingly popular among smokers, but to date there is no evidence of regular use by never‐smokers or by non‐smoking children. EC enable some users to reduce or quit smoking.</p> </sec> <sec id="add12659-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Allowing EC to compete with cigarettes in the market‐place might decrease smoking‐related morbidity and mortality. Regulating EC as strictly as cigarettes, or even more strictly as some regulators propose, is not warranted on current evidence. Health professionals may consider advising smokers unable or unwilling to quit through other routes to switch to EC as a safer alternative to smoking and a possible pathway to complete cessation of nicotine use.</p> </sec> </abstract>