Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2018 Jul;12(7):549-556.
doi: 10.1080/17476348.2018.1483724. Epub 2018 Jun 8.

How close are we to definitively identifying the respiratory health effects of e-cigarettes?

Alexsandra Ratajczak  1 , Wojciech Feleszko  1 , Danielle M Smith  2 , Maciej Goniewicz  2
Affiliations
Review

How close are we to definitively identifying the respiratory health effects of e-cigarettes?

Alexsandra Ratajczak et al. Expert Rev Respir Med. 2018 Jul.

Abstract

Use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is frequently promoted as a less harmful alternative to cigarette smoking. The impact of repeated inhalation of e-cigarette aerosols on respiratory health is not well understood. Areas covered: Using results from laboratory, observational, and clinical studies, we synthesize evidence relevant to potential respiratory health effects that may result from inhalation of e-cigarette aerosols. Expert commentary: Chemical analyses reveal that e-cigarette aerosols contain numerous respiratory irritants and toxicants. There are documented cytotoxic effects of e-cigarette constituents on lung tissue. Studies among ex-smokers who switched to e-cigarettes note reduced exposure to numerous respiratory toxicants, reduced asthma exacerbations, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms. Regular exposure to e-cigarette aerosols is associated with impaired respiratory functioning. Potential respiratory health risks resulting from secondhand e-cigarette aerosol exposure have not been sufficiently evaluated. Current evidence indicates that although e-cigarettes are not without risk, these products seemingly pose fewer respiratory health harms issues compared to tobacco cigarettes. Data from prospective studies and randomized controlled trials examining the impact of e-cigarette use on lung health are needed to better understand respiratory health risks tied to use of these products.

Keywords: E-cigarettes; electronic cigarettes; vaping.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interest

ML Goniewicz reports grants from and served as an advisory board member to pharmaceutical companies that manufacture smoking cessation drugs and was a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) Committee on the review of the health effects of electronic nicotine delivery systems. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Glasser AM, Katz L, Pearson JL, et al. Overview of electronic nicotine delivery systems: a systematic review. Am J Prev Med. 2017;52(2)e33–e66. Doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.10.036. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Yoong SL, Stockings E, Chai LK, et al. Prevalence of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use among youth globally: a systematic review and meta-analysis of country level data. Aust N Z J Public Health. 2018. [Epub ahead of print]. - PubMed
    1. Kasza KA, Ambrose BK, Conway KP, et al. Tobacco-product use by adults and youths in the United States in 2013 and 2014. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(4):342–353. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Coleman BN, Rostron B, Johnson SE, et al. Electronic cigarette use among US adults in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, 2013–2014. Tob Control. 2017;26(e2):e117–e126. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Dockrell M, Morison R, Bauld L, et al. E-Cigarettes: prevalence and attitudes in Great Britain. Nicotine Tob Res. 2013;15:1737–1744. - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources