Home > Electronic cigarettes - what are the risks for health?

HRB Evidence Centre. [Health Research Board] Electronic cigarettes - what are the risks for health? (02 Aug 2022)

External website: https://www.hrb.ie/?id=223&tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=1...


The problem: Electronic or e-cigarettes are relatively new (introduced in Europe in 2006) compared to conventional tobacco cigarettes. But what are their implications for health? Research is growing on their effects, and reviewing large numbers of studies together can allow deeper insights.

The project: Researchers at the HRB Evidence Centre identified and analysed more than 360 published studies about e-cigarettes and health. This systematic review found that e-cigarettes were linked with acute health issues including poisonings, burns, lung injury and worsening of asthma as well as early signs of damage to blood vessels. An analysis of seven studies showed e-cigarettes are no more effective than approved and regulated nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) to help people stop smoking, and a separate analysis of 9 studies concluded that e-cigarettes increase the risk of adolescents starting to smoke tobacco cigarettes.

The outcomesWe now know that:

  • E-cigarettes are no more effective than medically approved and regulated nicotine replacement therapies to help people stop smoking
  • Adolescents who use e-cigarettes are three to five times more likely to start smoking tobacco cigarettes compared to those who never used e-cigarettes
  • E-cigarettes can lead to poisonings, burns, lung injury and asthmatic attacks. Some of the chemicals in e-cigarettes are thought to cause tissue and cell damage and are linked to cancer. The long-term health effects beyond 24 months are not researched.

Related reports (2020):

Item Type
News
Publication Type
Irish-related, Article
Drug Type
Tobacco / Nicotine
Intervention Type
Harm reduction
Date
2 August 2022
Corporate Creators
HRB Evidence Centre
EndNote
Related (external) link

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