Myth: Alternative nicotine products are as dangerous as smoking

Safer nicotine wiki Tobacco Harm Reduction
Jump to navigation Jump to search


Snus

2022: Nicotine products relative risk assessment: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] Previously titled: Nicotine products relative risk assessment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • In this update, 70 new studies were added to the synthesis, making a total of 123 studies included. All combustible tobacco products score between 40 and 100, with bidis and smokeless (rest of world) also in this range. All other products have a combined risk score of 10 or less, including U.S. chewing tobacco, U.S. dipping tobacco, snus, heat-not-burn tobacco, electronic cigarettes, non-tobacco pouches and nicotine replacement therapy.
  • Citation: Murkett R, Rugh M and Ding B. Nicotine products relative risk assessment: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2022, 9:1225 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.26762.2)

2019: Snus: a compelling harm reduction alternative to cigarettes

  • “Use of snus confers a significant harm reduction benefit which is reflected in the comparatively low levels of tobacco-related disease in Sweden compared with the rest of Europe [where snus is, inexplicably, banned].”
  • Citation: Clarke, E., Thompson, K., Weaver, S. et al. Snus: a compelling harm reduction alternative to cigarettes. Harm Reduct J 16, 62 (2019). doi:10.1186/s12954-019-0335-1


HnB / HTP

2024: E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products impact on dental color parameters

  • Conclusion: "Exclusive use of ECs and HTPs is associated with better dental color measurements than current smoking, suggesting that tar-free nicotine delivery technologies are unlikely to have negative effects on dental appearance."
  • Citation: Gupta, Shipra & Sahni, Vaibhav & Emma, Rosalia & Gospodaru, Stefan & Bordeniuc, Gheorghe & Fala, Valeriu & Amaliya, Amaliya & La Rosa, Giusy & Pacino, Sebastiano & Urso, Salvatore & Yilmaz, Hasan & Zucchelli, Giovanni & Polosa, Riccardo. (2024). E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products impact on dental color parameters. Heliyon. 10. e24084. 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24084.

2022: Nicotine products relative risk assessment: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] Previously titled: Nicotine products relative risk assessment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • In this update, 70 new studies were added to the synthesis, making a total of 123 studies included. All combustible tobacco products score between 40 and 100, with bidis and smokeless (rest of world) also in this range. All other products have a combined risk score of 10 or less, including U.S. chewing tobacco, U.S. dipping tobacco, snus, heat-not-burn tobacco, electronic cigarettes, non-tobacco pouches and nicotine replacement therapy.
  • Citation: Murkett R, Rugh M and Ding B. Nicotine products relative risk assessment: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2022, 9:1225 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.26762.2)

2022: Effects of conventional and heated tobacco product smoking on discoloration of artificial denture teeth

  • Conventional cigarette and heated tobacco product smoke can change the color of denture teeth. Heated tobacco product smoke causes less discoloration of denture teeth.
  • Citation: Yuankun Wang;Ri Ryu;Jae-Min Seo;Jung-Jin Lee; (2021). Effects of conventional and heated tobacco product smoking on discoloration of artificial denture teeth . The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, (), –. doi:10.1016/j.prosdent.2020.05.031

2021: Impact of exclusive e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products use on muco-ciliary clearance

  • Former smokers who have switched to exclusive regular use of combustion-free nicotine delivery systems (i.e., ECs and HTPs) exhibit similar saccharin transit time as never and former smokers. This suggests that combustion-free nicotine delivery technologies are unlikely to have detrimental effects on MCC function. Former smokers who have switched to exclusive regular use of combustion-free nicotine delivery systems (i.e., ECs and HTPs) exhibit similar saccharin transit time as never and former smokers. This suggests that combustion-free nicotine delivery technologies are unlikely to have detrimental effects on MCC function.
  • Citation: Polosa R, Emma R, Cibella F, Caruso M, Conte G, Benfatto F, Ferlito S, Gulino A, Malerba M, Caponnetto P. Impact of exclusive e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products use on muco-ciliary clearance. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2021 Aug 12;12:20406223211035267. doi: 10.1177/20406223211035267. PMID: 34422253; PMCID: PMC8371723.

2021: Health outcomes in COPD smokers using heated tobacco products: a 3-year follow-up

  • This study is the first to describe the long-term health effects of HTP use in COPD patients. Consistent improvements in respiratory symptoms, exercise tolerance, quality of life, and rate of disease exacerbations were observed in patients with COPD who abstained from smoking or substantially reduced their cigarette consumption by switching to HTP use.
  • Citation: Polosa, R., Morjaria, J.B., Prosperini, U. et al. Health outcomes in COPD smokers using heated tobacco products: a 3-year follow-up. Intern Emerg Med 16, 687–696 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-021-02674-3

2021: Changes in biomarkers after 180 days of tobacco heating product use: a randomised trial

  • Our findings support the notion that the deleterious health impacts of cigarette smoking may be reduced in smokers who completely switch to using THPs.
  • Citation: Gale, N., McEwan, M., Camacho, O.M. et al. Changes in biomarkers after 180 days of tobacco heating product use: a randomised trial. Intern Emerg Med 16, 2201–2212 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-021-02798-6

2020: Cancer potencies and margin of exposure used for comparative risk assessment of heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes aerosols with cigarette smoke

  • Even if they should not be considered as risk-free products, HTPs and ECs lead to an appreciable risk reduction in comparison to cigarettes, both for cancer and non-cancer diseases. According to the current knowledge, and more specifically to the data presented here, HTPs and ECs might be considered as an acceptable reduced risk substitute for cigarettes for legal-age smokers who would otherwise continue smoking cigarettes.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Rodrigo, G., Jaccard, G., Tafin Djoko, D. et al. Cancer potencies and margin of exposure used for comparative risk assessment of heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes aerosols with cigarette smoke. Arch Toxicol 95, 283–298 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-020-02924-x

2020: Article: Expert sounds alarm on oral cancer

  • A dental expert urged smokers to switch to electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) as a “harm reduction measure,” saying smoking is the leading cause of oral cancer. “We warn our patients who are smokers that smoking is the leading cause of oral cancer and strongly advise them to quit smoking. For those who cannot or do not want to quit smoking by themselves or with currently approved methods, we convince them to switch to non-combustible alternatives,” said Fernando Fernandez, president of the Philippine College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (Pcoms) during the Scientific Conversations on Tobacco Harm Reduction held recently at the Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig City.

2020: Comparison of the chemical composition of aerosols from heated tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes and their toxic impacts on the human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells

  • We first report that HTP (Heated Tobacco Product) delivers slightly less nicotine and emits much lower amounts of carbonyl and PAH compounds than tobacco cigarettes.
  • However, HTP emissions still contain carcinogenic compounds (e.g. formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and benzo[a]pyrene) and the amounts of carbonyls and PAHs in HTP aerosols are higher than in e-cig vapours (vapor).
  • In accordance with the levels of toxic compounds in each aerosol, HTP aerosol exhibits reduced cytotoxicity compared to cigarette smoke but higher than e-cig vapours.
  • HTP and e-cig have the potential to increase oxidative stress and inflammatory response, in a manner very similar to that of cigarette smoke, but only after a more intensive exposure. In addition, our data support that e-cig use at higher power settings emit higher carbonyl and PAH compounds and, consequently, generate more oxidative stress.
  • Finally, this study contributes to a better understanding of HTP and e-cig emission properties and their related toxicological impacts and provides important data needed for risk assessment purposes, by demonstrating that HTP might be less harmful than tobacco cigarettes but considerably more harmful than e-cig.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Romain Dusautoir, Gianni Zarcone, Marie Verriele, Guillaume Garçon, Isabelle Fronval, Nicolas Beauval, Delphine Allorge, Véronique Riffault, Nadine Locoge, Jean-Marc Lo-Guidice, Sébastien Anthérieu, Comparison of the chemical composition of aerosols from heated tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes and their toxic impacts on the human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 401, 2021, 123417, ISSN 0304-3894, doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123417

2019: Effects of cigarette smoke and tobacco heating aerosol on color stability of dental enamel, dentin, and composite resin restorations

  • The findings of the current study indicate that CS causes discoloration of dental hard tissues and color mismatch of esthetic composite resin restorations. THS 2.2 induces much less discoloration in dental hard tissues and dental composite restorations in comparison with CS. These results are consistent with available evidence that THS 2.2 generates an aerosol with a different chemical composition from CS and with no combustion-related solid particles typically found in CS tar.
  • Citation: Zanetti F, Zhao X, Pan J, Peitsch MC, Hoeng J, Ren Y. Effects of cigarette smoke and tobacco heating aerosol on color stability of dental enamel, dentin, and composite resin restorations. Quintessence Int. 2019 Jan 25;50(2):156-166. doi: 10.3290/j.qi.a41601. Epub 2018 Dec 18. PMID: 30564805.

2018: Assessment of enamel discoloration in vitro following exposure to cigarette smoke and emissions from novel vapor and tobacco heating products

  • For the first time, diverse NGPs [next generation tobacco and nicotine products] across the risk continuum were assessed in vitro for their impact on enamel staining. CS exposure significantly increased the level of bovine enamel sample discoloration, whereas THP1.0 [tobacco heated product] or NVP [nicotine vapor product] exposure resulted in values comparable to the controls.
  • Citation: Dalrymple A, Badrock TC, Terry A, Barber M, Hall PJ, Thorne D, Gaca MD, Coburn S, Proctor C. Assessment of enamel discoloration in vitro following exposure to cigarette smoke and emissions from novel vapor and tobacco heating products. Am J Dent. 2018 Oct;31(5):227-233. PMID: 30346667.

2018: Carbonyl emissions from a novel heated tobacco product (IQOS): comparison with an e-cigarette and a tobacco cigarette

  • The IQOS heated tobacco product emits substantially lower levels of carbonyls than a commercial tobacco cigarette (Marlboro Red) but higher levels than a Nautilus Mini e-cigarette.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Farsalinos KE, Yannovits N, Sarri T, Voudris V, Poulas K, Leischow SJ. Carbonyl emissions from a novel heated tobacco product (IQOS): comparison with an e-cigarette and a tobacco cigarette. Addiction. 2018 Nov;113(11):2099-2106. doi: 10.1111/add.14365. Epub 2018 Jul 10. PMID: 29920842.


Nicotine Pouches

2024: Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches and Their Potential Contribution to Tobacco Harm Reduction: A Scoping Review

  • Based on the reviewed evidence, TFNPs contain significantly fewer and lower levels of harmful chemicals, have a reduced toxicological impact compared to cigarette smoke, and may convey lower health risks compared to smoking.
  • Citation: Grandolfo E, Ogden H, Fearon IM, Malt L, Stevenson M, Weaver S, Nahde T. Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches and Their Potential Contribution to Tobacco Harm Reduction: A Scoping Review. Cureus. 2024 Feb 15;16(2):e54228. doi: 10.7759/cureus.54228. PMID: 38496069; PMCID: PMC10944327.

2022: Nicotine products relative risk assessment: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] Previously titled: Nicotine products relative risk assessment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • In this update, 70 new studies were added to the synthesis, making a total of 123 studies included. All combustible tobacco products score between 40 and 100, with bidis and smokeless (rest of world) also in this range. All other products have a combined risk score of 10 or less, including U.S. chewing tobacco, U.S. dipping tobacco, snus, heat-not-burn tobacco, electronic cigarettes, non-tobacco pouches and nicotine replacement therapy.
  • Citation: Murkett R, Rugh M and Ding B. Nicotine products relative risk assessment: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2022, 9:1225 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.26762.2)


Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

2022: Nicotine products relative risk assessment: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] Previously titled: Nicotine products relative risk assessment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • In this update, 70 new studies were added to the synthesis, making a total of 123 studies included. All combustible tobacco products score between 40 and 100, with bidis and smokeless (rest of world) also in this range. All other products have a combined risk score of 10 or less, including U.S. chewing tobacco, U.S. dipping tobacco, snus, heat-not-burn tobacco, electronic cigarettes, non-tobacco pouches and nicotine replacement therapy.
  • Citation: Murkett R, Rugh M and Ding B. Nicotine products relative risk assessment: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2022, 9:1225 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.26762.2)

2021: Interventions for preventing weight gain after smoking cessation

  • There was moderate‐certainty that NRT reduced weight at end of treatment and moderate‐certainty that the effect may be similar at 12 months, although the estimates are too imprecise to assess long‐term benefit.
  • Citation: Hartmann-Boyce J, Theodoulou A, Farley A, Hajek P, Lycett D, Jones LL, Kudlek L, Heath L, Hajizadeh A, Schenkels M, Aveyard P. Interventions for preventing weight gain after smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2021, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD006219. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006219.pub4. Accessed 17 March 2024.

2003: Estimating the health consequences of replacing cigarettes with nicotine inhalers

  • Prevention of tobacco use is historically difficult in spite of clear health hazards. Regulatory responses to the problem are tenuous and subject to reversal or delay as political and economic fortunes change. A lasting reduction in tobacco related illness might result from unleashing clean alternative nicotine delivery systems to compete directly with tobacco products. Even if used very broadly, clean inhaled nicotine might reduce public health problems as much as a very successful tobacco control programme.
  • PDF
  • Citation: W. Sumner II (2003). Estimating the Health Consequences of Replacing Cigarettes with Nicotine Inhalers. Tobacco Control, 12(2), 124–132. doi:10.2307/20208116 


Vaping

Multiple Factors

2024: The potential health effects associated with electronic-cigarette

  • "Conclusion: Based on the literature discussed in our review, it is evident that e-cigarettes are not an entirely risk-free substitute for traditional cigarettes, but the current account of the harms of e-cigarettes appears to be exaggerated. Therefore, we should adopt a more balanced perspective on e-cigarettes and avoid defining e-cigarettes as “beneficial” or “harmful” simply. E-cigarettes may serve not only as a smoking cessation tool for smokers who want to quit but also as a less harmful alternative..."
  • Citation: Tao X, Zhang J, Meng Q, Chu J, Zhao R, Liu Y, Dong Y, Xu H, Tian T, Cui J, Zhang L, Chu M. The potential health effects associated with electronic-cigarette. Environ Res. 2023 Dec 27;245:118056. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.118056. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38157958.

2021: A scoping review of studies on the health impact of electronic nicotine delivery systems

  • Overall, the findings of our review did not provide evidence to counter the consensus held by many that ENDS use is safer than the risks posed from smoking cigarettes.
  • Citation: Hajat C, Stein E, Shantikumar S, Niaura R, Ferrara P, Polosa R. A scoping review of studies on the health impact of electronic nicotine delivery systems. Intern Emerg Med. 2022 Jan;17(1):241-268. doi: 10.1007/s11739-021-02835-4. Epub 2021 Oct 12. PMID: 34637075; PMCID: PMC8841326.

Flavors

2019: High Content Screening in NHBE cells shows significantly reduced biological activity of flavoured e-liquids, when compared to cigarette smoke condensate

  • Our results clearly show a lower toxicity of e-liquids, including flavoured e-liquids, when compared to CSC (cigarette smoke condensate).
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Lukasz Czekala, Liam Simms, Matthew Stevenson, Edgar Trelles-Sticken, Paul Walker, Tanvir Walele, High Content Screening in NHBE cells shows significantly reduced biological activity of flavoured e-liquids, when compared to cigarette smoke condensate, Toxicology in Vitro, Volume 58, 2019, Pages 86-96, ISSN 0887-2333, doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2019.03.018.

2018: Do flavouring (flavoring) compounds contribute to aldehyde emissions in e-cigarettes?

  • Aldehyde emissions from all flavoured liquids were 79–99.8% lower than smoking and lower than commonly measured indoor levels and occupational and indoor safety limits.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Farsalinos, K. E., & Voudris, V. (2018). Do flavouring compounds contribute to aldehyde emissions in e-cigarettes? Food and Chemical Toxicology, 115, 212–217. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2018.02.059

2015 An approach to ingredient screening and toxicological risk assessment of flavours (flavors) in e-liquids

  • Individual flavours or groups of flavours were added to the tobacco rod and the resultant smoke was analysed for priority smoke constituents and tested in several in vitro tests as well as 90-day rat inhalation studies. In general, addition of the flavours had no effect on, or reduced the levels of most of the measured smoke constituents.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: S. Costigan, C. Meredith, An approach to ingredient screening and toxicological risk assessment of flavours in e-liquids, Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, Volume 72, Issue 2, 2015, Pages 361-369, ISSN 0273-2300, doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.05.018.

2013: Comparison of the Cytotoxic Potential of Cigarette Smoke and Electronic Cigarette Vapour Extract on Cultured Myocardial Cells

  • Overall, EC vapor extracts showed significantly higher cell viability compared to CS extract, based on a realistic-use rather than a standardized comparative level of exposure. This supports the concept that ECs may be useful as tobacco harm reduction products
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Farsalinos, K.E.; Romagna, G.; Allifranchini, E.; Ripamonti, E.; Bocchietto, E.; Todeschi, S.; Tsiapras, D.; Kyrzopoulos, S.; Voudris, V. Comparison of the Cytotoxic Potential of Cigarette Smoke and Electronic Cigarette Vapour Extract on Cultured Myocardial Cells. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2013, 10, 5146-5162. doi:10.3390/ijerph10105146


Cancer / Tumors

2021: Effect of an electronic nicotine delivery system with 0, 8, or 36 mg/mL liquid nicotine versus a cigarette substitute on tobacco-related toxicant exposure: a four-arm, parallel-group, randomised, controlled trial

  • Use of an ENDS with cigarette-like nicotine delivery can reduce exposure to a major pulmonary carcinogen, NNAL, even with concurrent smoking
  • Citation: Caroline O Cobb, Jonathan Foulds, Miao-Shan Yen, Susan Veldheer, Alexa A Lopez, Jessica M Yingst, Christopher Bullen, Le Kang, Thomas Eissenberg, Sophia I. Allen, Phoebe Brosnan, Christopher Bullen, Nadia Chowdhury, Caroline O. Cobb, Thomas Eissenberg, Jonathan Foulds, Jacob T. Graham, Erin Hammett, Sharilee Hrabovsky, Breianna L. Hummer, Le Kang, Courtney Lester, Alexa A. Lopez, John P. Richie, Christopher Sciamanna, Shumei Sun, Thokozeni Lipato, Susan Veldheer, Miao-Shan Yen, Jessica M. Yingst, Effect of an electronic nicotine delivery system with 0, 8, or 36 mg/mL liquid nicotine versus a cigarette substitute on tobacco-related toxicant exposure: a four-arm, parallel-group, randomised, controlled trial, The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Volume 9, Issue 8, 2021, Pages 840-850, ISSN 2213-2600, doi:10.1016/S2213-2600(21)00022-9.

2021: Comparison of biological and transcriptomic effects of conventional cigarette and electronic cigarette smoke exposure at toxicological dose in BEAS-2B cells

  • In conclusion, our study indicated that the cytotoxicity of e-cigarette was far less than conventional cigarette at equivalent nicotine content in BEAS-2B cells.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Lilan Wang, Yao Wang, Jianwen Chen, Xue-Min Yang, Xing-Tao Jiang, Peiqing Liu, Min Li, Comparison of biological and transcriptomic effects of conventional cigarette and electronic cigarette smoke exposure at toxicological dose in BEAS-2B cells, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Volume 222, 2021, 112472, ISSN 0147-6513, doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112472.

2020: Cancer potencies and margin of exposure used for comparative risk assessment of heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes aerosols with cigarette smoke

  • Even if they should not be considered as risk-free products, HTPs and ECs lead to an appreciable risk reduction in comparison to cigarettes, both for cancer and non-cancer diseases. According to the current knowledge, and more specifically to the data presented here, HTPs and ECs might be considered as an acceptable reduced risk substitute for cigarettes for legal-age smokers who would otherwise continue smoking cigarettes.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Rodrigo, G., Jaccard, G., Tafin Djoko, D. et al. Cancer potencies and margin of exposure used for comparative risk assessment of heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes aerosols with cigarette smoke. Arch Toxicol 95, 283–298 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-020-02924-x

2020: Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines (NNAL, NNN, NAT, and NAB) Exposures in the US Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Wave 1 (2013–2014)

  • Among established, every day, exclusive tobacco product users, the geometric mean urinary NNAL concentration was highest for smokeless tobacco users, followed by all types of combustible tobacco product users, then poly tobacco users, and lowest in e-cigarette product users.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Baoyun Xia, PhD, Benjamin C Blount, PhD, Tonya Guillot, MPH, Christina Brosius, MPH, Yao Li, BS, Dana M Van Bemmel, PhD MPH, Heather L Kimmel, PhD, Cindy M Chang, PhD MPH, Nicolette Borek, PhD, Kathryn C Edwards, PhD, Charlie Lawrence, PhD, Andrew Hyland, PhD, Maciej L Goniewicz, PhD PharmD, Brittany N Pine, BS, Yang Xia, PhD, John T Bernert, B Rey De Castro, ScD, John Lee, BS, Justin L Brown, MPH, Stephen Arnstein, MS, Diane Choi, BS, Erin L Wade, BS, Dorothy Hatsukami, PhD, Gladys Ervies, PhD, Angel Cobos, BS, Keegan Nicodemus, BS, Dana Freeman, BS, Stephen S Hecht, PhD, Kevin Conway, PhD, Lanqing Wang, PhD, Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines (NNAL, NNN, NAT, and NAB) Exposures in the US Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Wave 1 (2013–2014), Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Volume 23, Issue 3, March 2021, Pages 573–583, https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaa110

2020: Effect of Pod e-Cigarettes vs Cigarettes on Carcinogen Exposure Among African American and Latinx Smokers

  • This randomized clinical trial found that the use of NSPS (nicotine salt pod system) e-cigarettes for replacing cigarettes led to significant reduction in a primary pulmonary carcinogen, NNAL, for African American and Latinx smokers. There were also significant reductions in cigarettes smoked per day, co, and respiratory symptoms and no increase in nicotine exposure. Furthermore, about one-fourth of participants randomized to e-cigarettes were able to fully cease use of combustible cigarettes at week 6. Reduction in cigarettes and biomarkers of exposure in this study suggest potential of NSPS e-cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy for members of the 2 largest minority groups in the US who face significant health disparities.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Pulvers K, Nollen NL, Rice M, et al. Effect of Pod e-Cigarettes vs Cigarettes on Carcinogen Exposure Among African American and Latinx Smokers: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(11):e2026324. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.26324

2020: Comparison of the chemical composition of aerosols from heated tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes and their toxic impacts on the human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells

  • We first report that HTP (Heated Tobacco Product) delivers slightly less nicotine and emits much lower amounts of carbonyl and PAH compounds than tobacco cigarettes.
  • However, HTP emissions still contain carcinogenic compounds (e.g. formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and benzo[a]pyrene) and the amounts of carbonyls and PAHs in HTP aerosols are higher than in e-cig vapours (vapor).
  • In accordance with the levels of toxic compounds in each aerosol, HTP aerosol exhibits reduced cytotoxicity compared to cigarette smoke but higher than e-cig vapours.
  • HTP and e-cig have the potential to increase oxidative stress and inflammatory response, in a manner very similar to that of cigarette smoke, but only after a more intensive exposure. In addition, our data support that e-cig use at higher power settings emit higher carbonyl and PAH compounds and, consequently, generate more oxidative stress.
  • Finally, this study contributes to a better understanding of HTP and e-cig emission properties and their related toxicological impacts and provides important data needed for risk assessment purposes, by demonstrating that HTP might be less harmful than tobacco cigarettes but considerably more harmful than e-cig.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Romain Dusautoir, Gianni Zarcone, Marie Verriele, Guillaume Garçon, Isabelle Fronval, Nicolas Beauval, Delphine Allorge, Véronique Riffault, Nadine Locoge, Jean-Marc Lo-Guidice, Sébastien Anthérieu, Comparison of the chemical composition of aerosols from heated tobacco products, electronic cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes and their toxic impacts on the human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells, Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 401, 2021, 123417, ISSN 0304-3894, doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123417

2020: Five-Day Changes in Biomarkers of Exposure Among Adult Smokers After Completely Switching From Combustible Cigarettes to a Nicotine-Salt Pod System

  • The results of this study concorded with evidence that complete switching from combustible cigarettes to vapor products may reduce exposure to key carcinogens and other toxicants known to be associated with tobacco-related diseases.
  • Citation: Jay J, Pfaunmiller EL, Huang NJ, Cohen G, Graff DW. Five-Day Changes in Biomarkers of Exposure Among Adult Smokers After Completely Switching From Combustible Cigarettes to a Nicotine-Salt Pod System. Nicotine Tob Res. 2020 Jul 16;22(8):1285-1293. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntz206. PMID: 31688930; PMCID: PMC7364828.

2018 Measurements of electronic cigarette-generated particles for the evaluation of lung cancer risk of active and passive users

  • In this study, we have demonstrated that no clinically relevant, product-related safety findings were observed for smokers of Combustible Cigarettes (CC) switching to an Electronic Vapor Product (EVP) for 12 weeks under real-life settings. Adverse Effects (AEs) reported by subjects switching to the EVP occurred primarily within the first week after switching, and only 1.3% of all AEs reported were considered to be almost definitely related to the product. Up to a third of all reported AEs in the EVP group were related to nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which were observed to decrease after the first two weeks from product switch. EVP use was associated with significant decreases in exposure to nicotine and other chemicals such as benzene and acrolein, typically found in CC smoke. Changes were also observed in the level of WBC, haemoglobin, RBC and LDL cholesterol, which although minor, were consistent with those observed after smoking cessation. The data presented in this study shows the potential that EVPs may offer to smokers looking for an alternative to CCs.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Mauro Scungio, Luca Stabile, Giorgio Buonanno, Measurements of electronic cigarette-generated particles for the evaluation of lung cancer risk of active and passive users, Journal of Aerosol Science, Volume 115, 2018, Pages 1-11, ISSN 0021-8502, doi:10.1016/j.jaerosci.2017.10.006.

2017 Comparative tumor promotion assessment of e‐cigarette and cigarettes using the in vitro Bhas 42 cell transformation assay

  • Results from this study suggest that e‐cigarettes may have reduced tumor promoter activity compared to conventional cigarettes and therefore may provide a safer alternative to cigarettes.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Breheny D, Oke O, Pant K, Gaça M. Comparative tumor promotion assessment of e-cigarette and cigarettes using the in vitro Bhas 42 cell transformation assay. Environ Mol Mutagen. 2017 May;58(4):190-198. doi: 10.1002/em.22091. PMID: 28444993; PMCID: PMC5435921.

2017 Comparing the cancer potencies of emissions from vapourised nicotine products including e-cigarettes with those of tobacco smoke

  • Most e-cigarette analyses indicate cancer potencies <1% that of tobacco smoke and <10% that of a heat-not-burn prototype, although a minority of analyses indicate higher potencies.
  • Optimal combinations of device settings, liquid formulation and vaping behaviour normally result in e-cigarette emissions with much less carcinogenic potency than tobacco smoke.
  • Samples of a prototype heat-not-burn device have lower cancer potencies than tobacco smoke by at least one order of magnitude, but higher potencies than most e-cigarettes. Mean lifetime risks decline in the sequence: combustible cigarettes >> heat-not-burn >> e-cigarettes (normal power)≥nicotine inhaler.
  • Article in Lung Disease News: E-Cigarettes Carry Much Less Risk of Lung Cancer Than Cigarette Smoke, Study Finds
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Stephens WE Comparing the cancer potencies of emissions from vapourised (vaporised) nicotine products including e-cigarettes with those of tobacco smoke Tobacco Control 2018;27:10-17.

2017 Nicotine, Carcinogen, and Toxin Exposure in Long-Term E-Cigarette and Nicotine Replacement Therapy Users

  • Former smokers with long-term e-cigarette–only or NRT-only use may obtain roughly similar levels of nicotine compared with smokers of combustible cigarettes only, but results varied. Long-term NRT-only and e-cigarette–only use, but not dual use of NRTs or e-cigarettes with combustible cigarettes, is associated with substantially reduced levels of measured carcinogens and toxins relative to smoking only combustible cigarettes.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Shahab, L., Goniewicz, M. L., Blount, B. C., Brown, J., McNeill, A., Alwis, K. U., … West, R. (2017). Nicotine, Carcinogen, and Toxin Exposure in Long-Term E-Cigarette and Nicotine Replacement Therapy Users. Annals of Internal Medicine, 166(6), 390. doi:10.7326/m16-1107

2017 Have combustible cigarettes met their match? The nicotine delivery profiles and harmful constituent exposures of second-generation and third-generation electronic cigarette users

  • While not harmless, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have demonstrated a much more favourable (favorable) toxicological profile than combustible cigarettes—the worldwide leading cause of preventable death. Average eCO levels (ppm) were significantly higher in smokers than in e-cigarette users.
  • Compared with cigarettes, G2 and G3 e-cigarettes resulted in significantly lower levels of exposure to a potent lung carcinogen and cardiovascular toxicant.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Wagener TL, Floyd EL, Stepanov I, et alHave combustible cigarettes met their match? The nicotine delivery profiles and harmful constituent exposures of second-generation and third-generation electronic cigarette users Tobacco Control 2017;26:e23-e28.

2016 Exposure to Nicotine and Selected Toxicants in Cigarette Smokers Who Switched to Electronic Cigarettes: A Longitudinal Within-Subjects Observational Study

  • After switching from tobacco to e-cigarettes, nicotine exposure remains unchanged, while exposure to selected carcinogens and toxicants is substantially reduced.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Maciej L. Goniewicz, PharmD, PhD, Michal Gawron, PharmD, Danielle M. Smith, MPH, Margaret Peng, BSc, Peyton Jacob, III, PhD, Neal L. Benowitz, MD, Exposure to Nicotine and Selected Toxicants in Cigarette Smokers Who Switched to Electronic Cigarettes: A Longitudinal Within-Subjects Observational Study, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Volume 19, Issue 2, 1 February 2017, Pages 160–167, doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntw160

2016 The mutagenic assessment of an electronic-cigarette and reference cigarette smoke using the Ames assay in strains TA98 and TA100

  • In the presence and absence of metabolic activation, e-cigarette ACM and aerosol were deemed non-mutagenic in tester strains TA98 and TA100, under the test conditions described previously, despite clear positive control responses. Conversely, 3R4F cigarette smoke TPM and freshly generated whole smoke were clearly positive.
  • In the case of freshly generated cigarette smoke, a positive response in both strains was observed within 24 min, whereas e-cigarette aerosols remained negative up to 3 h.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Thorne, D., Crooks, I., Hollings, M., Seymour, A., Meredith, C., & Gaca, M. (2016). The mutagenic assessment of an electronic-cigarette and reference cigarette smoke using the Ames assay in strains TA98 and TA100. Mutation Research/Genetic Toxicology and Environmental Mutagenesis, 812, 29–38. doi:10.1016/j.mrgentox.2016.10.005

2016: Patients with lung cancer: Are electronic cigarettes harmful or useful?

  • Based on current knowledge, for patients with lung or other forms of cancer who would otherwise continue to smoke, e-cigarettes offer an alternative way to quit smoking while they undergo medical treatment. The option to switch to e-cigarettes should be considered by healthcare practitioners with patients with cancer who would otherwise continue to smoke.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Dautzenberg, B., & Garelik, D. (2017). Patients with lung cancer: Are electronic cigarettes harmful or useful? Lung Cancer, 105, 42–48. doi:10.1016/j.lungcan.2016.05.011

2015 Development of an in vitro cytotoxicity model for aerosol exposure using 3D reconstructed human airway tissue; application for assessment of e-cigarette aerosol

  • Despite being tested with a more intense puffing regime, e-cigarette aerosol showed no acute cytotoxicity in this study when compared with traditional 3R4F reference cigarette smoke.
  • Under the study conditions cigarette smoke demonstrated a dose-dependent response that resulted in near-complete cell death after a 6 h exposure period. In contrast, e-cigarette aerosol showed no decrease in tissue viability following a 6 h exposure, despite appropriate positive control responses. Furthermore, cytotoxicity appears to be unaffected by different e-cigarette formulations as tested in this study.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Neilson, L., Mankus, C., Thorne, D., Jackson, G., DeBay, J., & Meredith, C. (2015). Development of an in vitro cytotoxicity model for aerosol exposure using 3D reconstructed human airway tissue; application for assessment of e-cigarette aerosol. Toxicology in Vitro, 29(7), 1952–1962. doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2015.05.018

2014 Levels of selected carcinogens and toxicants in vapor from electronic cigarettes

  • The levels of potentially toxic compounds in e-cigarette vapor is from 9 to 450-fold lower than those in the smoke from conventional cigarettes, and in many cases comparable to the trace amounts present in pharmaceutical preparation (Note: Reference product was a medicinal nicotine inhaler.). Our findings support the idea that substituting tobacco cigarettes with electronic cigarettes may substantially reduce exposure to tobacco-specific toxicants.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Goniewicz ML, Knysak J, Gawron M, Kosmider L, Sobczak A, Kurek J, Prokopowicz A, Jablonska-Czapla M, Rosik-Dulewska C, Havel C, Jacob P 3rd, Benowitz N. Levels of selected carcinogens and toxicants in vapour from electronic cigarettes. Tob Control. 2014 Mar;23(2):133-9. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2012-050859. Epub 2013 Mar 6. PMID: 23467656; PMCID: PMC4154473.

2014 Evaluation of Toxicant and Carcinogen Metabolites in the Urine of E-Cigarette Users Versus Cigarette Smokers

  • With respect to the compounds analyzed here, e-cigarettes have a more favorable toxicity profile than tobacco cigarettes.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Hecht SS, Carmella SG, Kotandeniya D, Pillsbury ME, Chen M, Ransom BW, Vogel RI, Thompson E, Murphy SE, Hatsukami DK. Evaluation of toxicant and carcinogen metabolites in the urine of e-cigarette users versus cigarette smokers. Nicotine Tob Res. 2015 Jun;17(6):704-9. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntu218. Epub 2014 Oct 21. PMID: 25335945; PMCID: PMC4481723.


Cardiovascular

2021 Re-examining the Association Between E-Cigarette Use and Myocardial Infarction: A Cautionary Tale

  • There is no reliable evidence that e-cigarette use is associated with ever having had a myocardial infarction among never smokers.
  • Citation: Critcher, C. R., & Siegel, M. (2021). Re-examining the Association Between E-Cigarette Use and Myocardial Infarction: A Cautionary Tale. American journal of preventive medicine, 61(4), 474–482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2021.05.003

2021: Increased Expression of Proatherogenic Proteins in Immune Cell Subtypes in Tobacco Cigarette Smokers But Not in Electronic Cigarette Vapers

  • In this study, we showed that tobacco cigarette smoking, but not electronic-cigarette vaping, is associated with increased expression of major proteins in the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inflammasome-interleukin (IL)-6 signalling axis in monocyte subtypes and T cells.
  • These findings implicate the non-nicotine, pro-oxidant toxicants in tobacco cigarette smoke as instigators of increased expression of key proteins in the TLR4-inflammasome-IL-6 axis that contribute to atherogenesis.
  • These data support additional investigations into the role of ECIGs as part of a harm reduction strategy for adults addicted to TCIGs who are unwilling or unable to quit.
  • "proatherogenic" = promoting fatty plaques in the arteries (which is bad)
  • Acknowledgement: This work was supported by the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program under the contract number TRDRP 28IR-0065 (H.R.M.), by Univeristy of California Office of the President under the contract number R00RG2749 Emergency COVID-19 Research Seed Funding (H.R.M.), and by the National Institutes of Health National Center for Advancing Translational Science University of California Los Angeles Clinical and Translational Science Institute grant number L1TR001881. This work was also supported in part by National Institutes of Health grants R01AG059501, R03AG059462 (T.K.). The flow cytometry machine used in the study was purchased through the University of California Los Angeles Center for AIDS Research (P30AI28697) grant.
  • Citation: Kelesidis, T., Zhang, Y., Tran, E., Sosa, G., & Middlekauff, H. R. (2021). Increased Expression of Proatherogenic Proteins in Immune Cell Subtypes in Tobacco Cigarette Smokers But Not in Electronic Cigarette Vapers. The Canadian journal of cardiology, 37(8), 1175–1180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cjca.2021.05.006

2020: Expression of Key Inflammatory Proteins Is Increased in Immune Cells From Tobacco Cigarette Smokers But Not Electronic Cigarette Vapers: Implications for Atherosclerosis

  • Tobacco cigarettes but not E-cigarettes are associated with increased expression of key proteins in the TLR4–inflammasome–IL‐6 signaling axis, supporting the notion that ECIGs may represent a harm reduction approach to those addicted to TCIGs who are unwilling or unable to quit.
  • Citation: Kelesidis T, Zhang Y, Tran E, Sosa G, Middlekauff HR. Expression of Key Inflammatory Proteins Is Increased in Immune Cells From Tobacco Cigarette Smokers But Not Electronic Cigarette Vapers: Implications for Atherosclerosis. J Am Heart Assoc. 2021 Jan 5;10(1):e019324. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.120.019324. Epub 2020 Dec 26. PMID: 33356378; PMCID: PMC7955503.

2020: Effects of electronic cigarette on platelet and vascular function after four months of use

  • Electronic Cigarette vaping for four months has a neutral effect on platelet aggregation of healthy smokers. Continuation of tobacco cigarette smoking further deteriorates platelet function during 4 months of use.
  • Electronic cigarette vaping improves arterial elastic properties and oxidative stress after 4 months of use. Tobacco cigarette smoking causes further impairment of arterial elasticity and oxidative stress during 4 months of use.
  • Citation: Ikonomidis, I., Katogiannis, K., Kostelli, G., Kourea, K., Kyriakou, E., Kypraiou, A., Tsoumani, M., Andreadou, I., Lambadiari, V., Plotas, P., Thymis, I., & Tsantes, A. E. (2020). Effects of electronic cigarette on platelet and vascular function after four months of use. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 141, 111389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2020.111389

2020: Differential Effects of Tobacco Cigarettes and Electronic Cigarettes on Endothelial Function in Healthy Young People

  • Endothelial dysfunction, as measured by flow mediated vasodilation(FMD) is a predictor of future atherosclerosis and adverse cardiovascular events, and is impaired in tobacco cigarette (TC) smokers.
  • Impaired FMD in TC smokers is most likely attributable to non-nicotine toxicants in TC smoke, since an equivalent increase in plasma nicotine from the EC did not lead to acute impairment in FMD.
  • FMD was significantly impaired after smoking one TC, but not after vaping an equivalent "dose"(estimated plasma nicotine) of an e-cigarette (EC), consistent with the notion that non-nicotine constituents in TC smoke mediate the impairment.
  • However, there is increasing scientific literature that supports the notion that ECs, although not harmless, may be less harmful than TC smoking for cardiovascular risk.
  • Citation: Haptonstall KP, Choroomi Y, Moheimani R, Nguyen K, Tran E, Lakhani K, Ruedisueli I, Gornbein J, Middlekauff HR. Differential effects of tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes on endothelial function in healthy young people. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2020 Sep 1;319(3):H547-H556. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00307.2020. Epub 2020 Jul 31. PMID: 32734819; PMCID: PMC7509270.

2020 Association of electronic cigarette use with lead, cadmium, barium, and antimony body burden: NHANES 2015-2016

  • In this study, blood lead levels, and urinary cadmium, barium, and antimony levels were similar between participants who ever-used e-cigarettes and participants who did not, and therefore, e-cigarette use was not a major source of heavy metals.
  • However, participants with a smoking history were more likely to have higher blood lead and urinary cadmium than participants who neither used e-cigarettes nor cigarettes.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: R. Constance Wiener, Ruchi Bhandari, Association of electronic cigarette use with lead, cadmium, barium, and antimony body burden: NHANES 2015-2016, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 62, 2020, 126602, ISSN 0946-672X, doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2020.126602

2019: Cardiovascular Effects of Switching From Tobacco Cigarettes to Electronic Cigarettes

  • TC smokers, particularly females, demonstrate significant improvement in vascular health within 1 month of switching from TC to EC. Switching from TC to EC may be considered a harms reduction measure.
  • Citation: George, J, Hussain, M, Vadiveloo, T. et al. Cardiovascular Effects of Switching From Tobacco Cigarettes to Electronic Cigarettes. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019 Dec, 74 (25) 3112–3120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2019.09.067

2019: Electronic cigarettes and cardiovascular health: what do we know so far?

  • Though they may not be as harmless as previously proposed, it seems likely that on the spectrum of tobacco products, ECs are less harmful than TCs, and there is increasing evidence that ECs may help promote TC cessation. As such, ECs may be helpful for risk reduction.
  • Citation: MacDonald A, Middlekauff HR. Electronic cigarettes and cardiovascular health: what do we know so far? Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2019 Jun 21;15:159-174. doi: 10.2147/VHRM.S175970. PMID: 31417268; PMCID: PMC6592370.

2017: A comparative assessment of e-cigarette aerosols and cigarette smoke on in vitro endothelial cell migration

  • Exposure to 3R4F extract (20h) induced concentration-dependent inhibition of endothelial cell migration, with complete inhibition at concentrations >20%. E-cigarette extracts did not inhibit migration, even at double the 3R4F extract nicotine concentration, allowing cells to migrate into the wounded area. Our data demonstrate that e-cigarettes do not induce the inhibition of endothelial cell migration in vitro when compared to 3R4F.
  • Citation: Taylor M, Jaunky T, Hewitt K, Breheny D, Lowe F, Fearon IM, Gaca M. A comparative assessment of e-cigarette aerosols and cigarette smoke on in vitro endothelial cell migration. Toxicol Lett. 2017 Aug 5;277:123-128. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2017.06.001. Epub 2017 Jun 26. PMID: 28658606.

2017: Electronic cigarette smoking increases of arterial stiffness and oxidative stress to a lesser extent than a single normal cigarette: an acute and chronic study

  • Electronic cigarette smoking causes a smaller increase of arterial stiffness and oxidative stress, compared to a single normal cigarette in an acute setting. Replacement of normal cigarettes by a moderate nicotine concentration electronic cigarette results in improved aortic elasticity and oxidative stress within 1 month.
  • Citation: I. Ikonomidis, D. Vlastos, G. Kostelli, K. Kourea, O. Kondylopoulou, S. Vlachos, D. Benas, M. Varoudi, G. Pavlidis, V. Dede, H. Triantafyllidi, I. Andreadou, J. Lekakis, P5166 Electronic cigarette smoking increases of arterial stifness and oxidative stress to a lesser extent than a single normal cigarette: an acute and chronic study, European Heart Journal, Volume 38, Issue suppl_1, August 2017, ehx493.P5166, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehx493.P5166

2017: Press Release: New Technologies for Health: electronic substitutions for smoking reduce harm (research)

  • "Our 6-month study convincingly demonstrated an improvement in endothelial function and a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease in smokers when switching to the use of ENDS."

2017 Have combustible cigarettes met their match? The nicotine delivery profiles and harmful constituent exposures of second-generation and third-generation electronic cigarette users

  • While not harmless, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have demonstrated a much more favourable (favorable) toxicological profile than combustible cigarettes—the worldwide leading cause of preventable death. Average eCO levels (ppm) were significantly higher in smokers than in e-cigarette users.
  • Compared with cigarettes, G2 and G3 e-cigarettes resulted in significantly lower levels of exposure to a potent lung carcinogen and cardiovascular toxicant.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Wagener TL, Floyd EL, Stepanov I, et alHave combustible cigarettes met their match? The nicotine delivery profiles and harmful constituent exposures of second-generation and third-generation electronic cigarette users Tobacco Control 2017;26:e23-e28.

2016: Cigarette smoke but not electronic cigarette aerosol activates a stress response in human coronary artery endothelial cells in culture

  • Human coronary artery endothelial cells show a biological response to cigarette smoke.
  • This response was not seen following exposure to e-cigarette aerosol.
  • Using e-cigarettes instead of cigarettes may reduce immediate cardiovascular harms.
  • Citation: Teasdale, Jack E.; Newby, Andrew C.; Timpson, Nicholas J.; Munafò, Marcus R.; White, Stephen J. (2016). Cigarette smoke but not electronic cigarette aerosol activates a stress response in human coronary artery endothelial cells in culture. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 163(), 256–260. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.04.020

2016: Cardiovascular toxicity of nicotine: Implications for electronic cigarette use

  • Studies of nicotine medications and smokeless tobacco indicate that the risks of nicotine without tobacco combustion products (cigarette smoke) are low compared to cigarette smoking, but are still of concern in people with cardiovascular disease.
  • Electronic cigarettes deliver nicotine without combustion of tobacco and appear to pose low-cardiovascular risk, at least with short-term use, in healthy users.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Benowitz, Neal L.; Burbank, Andrea D. (2016). Cardiovascular Toxicity of Nicotine: Implications for Electronic Cigarette Use. Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, (), S1050173816000530–. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2016.03.001

2013: Chronic Idiopathic Neutrophilia in A Smoker, Relieved after Smoking Cessation with the Use of Electronic Cigarette: a Case Report

  • A male Caucasian patient, born in 1977, presented in September 2005 with asymptomatic elevation of white blood cell and neutrophil count, and mildly-elevated C-reactive protein levels. He was a smoker since 1996 and was treated with 20 mg/day of simvastatin since 2003 due to hyperlipidemia. Clinical examination, and laboratory and imaging investigations ruled out any infectious, haematological, rheumatological, or endocrine conditions. He was followed-up regularly and was advised to stop smoking. He had 2 unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking; one was unassisted and the second was performed with the use of both varenicline and nicotine replacement therapy (patches). During the subsequent 6.5 years, his leukocyte and C-reactive protein levels were repeatedly elevated; the condition was consistent with chronic idiopathic neutrophilia. In February 2012, he started using electronic cigarettes and he managed to quit smoking within 10 days. After 6 months, laboratory examination showed normalized leukocyte count and C-reactive protein levels, confirmed immediately by a second laboratory and by repeated tests after 1 and 2 months.
  • Smoking cessation with the use of electronic cigarette led to reversal of chronic idiopathic neutrophilia. The daily use of electronic cigarette may help preserve the beneficial effects of smoking cessation.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Farsalinos KE, Romagna G. Chronic idiopathic neutrophilia in a smoker, relieved after smoking cessation with the use of electronic cigarette: a case report. Clin Med Insights Case Rep. 2013;6:15-21. doi: 10.4137/CCRep.S11175. Epub 2013 Jan 24. PMID: 23439796; PMCID: PMC3571762.

2012: Acute effects of electronic and tobacco cigarette smoking on complete blood count

  • Active and passive tobacco cigarette smoking increased white blood cell, lymphocyte, and granulocyte counts for at least one hour in smokers and never smokers. Active and passive tobacco cigarette smoking increase the secondary proteins of acute inflammatory load for at least one hour.
  • It is concluded that acute active and passive smoking [vaping] using the e-cigarettes tested in the current study does not influence CBC indices in smokers and never smokers. The results demonstrated that CBC indices remained unchanged during the control session and the active and passive e-cigarette smoking [vaping] sessions.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Flouris, Andreas D.; Poulianiti, Konstantina P.; Chorti, Maria S.; Jamurtas, Athanasios Z.; Kouretas, Dimitrios; Owolabi, Emmanuel O.; Tzatzarakis, Manolis N.; Tsatsakis, Aristidis M.; Koutedakis, Yiannis (2012). Acute effects of electronic and tobacco cigarette smoking on complete blood count. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 50(10), 3600–3603. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2012.07.025

2010: A clinical laboratory model for evaluating the acute effects of electronic “cigarettes”: nicotine delivery profile and cardiovascular and subjective effects

  • Heart rate increased from an average (SD) of 65.7 (10.4) bpm at baseline to a peak of 80.3 (10.9) bpm five minutes after the first administration under the tobacco cigarette condition. No significant changes in heart rate were observed for the e-cigarette or sham conditions.
  • Under these acute testing conditions, neither of the electronic cigarettes exposed users to measurable levels of nicotine or CO, although both suppressed nicotine/tobacco abstinence symptom ratings.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Vansickel AR, Cobb CO, Weaver MF, Eissenberg TE. A clinical laboratory model for evaluating the acute effects of electronic "cigarettes": nicotine delivery profile and cardiovascular and subjective effects. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010 Aug;19(8):1945-53. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-10-0288. Epub 2010 Jul 20. PMID: 20647410; PMCID: PMC2919621.

Oral Health

2024: E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products impact on dental color parameters

  • Conclusion: "Exclusive use of ECs and HTPs is associated with better dental color measurements than current smoking, suggesting that tar-free nicotine delivery technologies are unlikely to have negative effects on dental appearance."
  • Citation: Gupta, Shipra & Sahni, Vaibhav & Emma, Rosalia & Gospodaru, Stefan & Bordeniuc, Gheorghe & Fala, Valeriu & Amaliya, Amaliya & La Rosa, Giusy & Pacino, Sebastiano & Urso, Salvatore & Yilmaz, Hasan & Zucchelli, Giovanni & Polosa, Riccardo. (2024). E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products impact on dental color parameters. Heliyon. 10. e24084. 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24084.

2023: The risk profile of electronic nicotine delivery systems, compared to traditional cigarettes, on oral disease: a review

  • Relevant studies indicated that patients using ENDS have better preservation of alveolar bone height compared with traditional smokers.
  • Overall, ENDS appear to be more implant-friendly than conventional tobacco cigarettes
  • Many of the carcinogens present in tobacco are not present in the aerosol generated by ENDS, which makes ENDS appear to be less damaging to the oral mucosa.
  • Citation: Zhang Q, Wen C. The risk profile of electronic nicotine delivery systems, compared to traditional cigarettes, on oral disease: a review. Front Public Health. 2023 May 15;11:1146949. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1146949. PMID: 37255760; PMCID: PMC10226679.

2023: The impact of electronic and conventional cigarettes on periodontal health—a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • "The current findings suggest that e-cigarette use might be considered a healthier alternative to cigarette smoking concerning periodontal health. Even so, harmful effects of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) usage on periodontal health were seen as well. However, a definitive decision on this research question remains elusive due to the absence of randomized controlled trials."
  • Citation: Thiem, D.G.E., Donkiewicz, P., Rejaey, R. et al. The impact of electronic and conventional cigarettes on periodontal health—a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Oral Invest 27, 4911–4928 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-023-05162-4

2023: Article: Is vaping harmful to oral health?

  • "In summary, the oral health evidence supports the general public health messages and guidance on e-cigarettes. E-cigarette use is far less harmful than tobacco cigarettes, although not risk free – we will likely see oral health consequences of long-term vaping (but less than from tobacco smoking). E-cigarettes are not recommended for non-users, especially young people. For existing smokers, e-cigarettes can be an effective quit aid and dental professionals should support patients who choose to use this method of cessation."

2022: Electronic cigarettes: an update on products, regulation, public health approaches and oral health

  • Regulatory approaches vary considerably around the world but in the UK and Europe, e-cigarettes are regulated as consumer or medicinal product, and their use is permitted. In the UK, e-cigarettes have increasingly been supported by public health institutions for smoking cessation as part of a Tobacco Harm Reduction strategy.
  • The potential harms (including to oral health) from e-cigarette use are likely to be much less than from tobacco cigarettes.
  • Citation: Weke A, Holliday R. Electronic cigarettes: an update on products, regulation, public health approaches and oral health. Community Dental Health. 2022 May;39(2):68-73. DOI: 10.1922/cdh_00215weke06. PMID: 34982860.

2022: Article: Vaping and oral health – an update for the dental team

  • In summary, e-cigarettes have good evidence to support them as an effective smoking cessation aid for tobacco smokers. Smokers can expect to see substantial improvements in their oral health if they fully switch to an e-cigarette. Longer-term use is a balanced judgement between smoking relapse prevention against the small risk of any detrimental effects from the e-cigarettes themselves.

2022: Electronic Cigarette Use Promotes a Unique Periodontal Microbiome

  • Our results demonstrate that the e-cig user’s subgingival microbiome is a unique amalgamation of microbiota, containing similarities to those of both conventional smokers and nonsmokers. Due to many shared features with the conventional smoker’s microbiome and considering the widespread promotion of e-cigarettes as a “healthier” alternative to or replacement for conventional cigarettes, our results show that e-cigarette use may promote a healthier SGP [subgingival plaque] microbiome with respect to that of smokers but not compared to that found with never smoking in the first place.
  • Citation: Thomas SC, Xu F, Pushalkar S, Lin Z, Thakor N, Vardhan M, Flaminio Z, Khodadadi-Jamayran A, Vasconcelos R, Akapo A, Queiroz E, Bederoff M, Janal MN, Guo Y, Aguallo D, Gordon T, Corby PM, Kamer AR, Li X, Saxena D. 2022. Electronic Cigarette Use Promotes a Unique Periodontal Microbiome. mBio 13:e00075-22. https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.00075-22

2019: Influence of Electronic Cigarettes on Selected Antibacterial Properties of Saliva

  • Lowering the level of IgA in saliva may lead to a weakening of the specific immune response and cause earlier development of more severe periodontitis. In our research, it was observed that the tobacco smokers’ level of salivary IgA was statistically significantly lower in comparison to the values in both the control group and the group of e-cigarette users. IgA content in the saliva of e-cigarette users was not statistically significant lower compared to the control group. This indicates that electronic cigarettes compared to traditional cigarettes have less effect on IgA concentration in saliva.
  • Citation: Cichońska D, Kusiak A, Kochańska B, Ochocińska J, Świetlik D. Influence of Electronic Cigarettes on Selected Antibacterial Properties of Saliva. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Nov 12;16(22):4433. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16224433. PMID: 31726698; PMCID: PMC6888580.

2019: A lower impact of an acute exposure to electronic cigarette aerosols than to cigarette smoke in human organotypic buccal and small airway cultures was demonstrated using systems toxicology assessment

  • Overall, the study demonstrated that exposure to undiluted test mix or base EC aerosols under the testing conditions (an acute 28-min exposure), even at a deposited nicotine concentration that is 200 times greater than that found in the saliva of EC users, had no impact on morphology of buccal and small airway cultures. In contrast, following the same puff number, the already diluted 3R4F CS resulted in overt tissue damage.
  • Citation: Iskandar AR, Zanetti F, Kondylis A, Martin F, Leroy P, Majeed S, Steiner S, Xiang Y, Ortega Torres L, Trivedi K, Guedj E, Merg C, Frentzel S, Ivanov NV, Doshi U, Lee KM, McKinney WJ Jr, Peitsch MC, Hoeng J. A lower impact of an acute exposure to electronic cigarette aerosols than to cigarette smoke in human organotypic buccal and small airway cultures was demonstrated using systems toxicology assessment. Intern Emerg Med. 2019 Sep;14(6):863-883. doi: 10.1007/s11739-019-02055-x. Epub 2019 Mar 5. PMID: 30835057; PMCID: PMC6722047.

2019: A Comparison of Flavorless Electronic Cigarette-Generated Aerosol and Conventional Cigarette Smoke on the Planktonic Growth of Common Oral Commensal Streptococci

  • A potential implication of these results is that flavorless E-liquids and their generated aerosol induce less tooth decay and periodontal disease than traditional cigarette smoke.
  • A case for improving oral health (and overall health) could be made by federal health regulatory agencies for promoting the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems over the use of traditional cigarettes as a means of harm reduction.
  • Citation: Nelson JM, Cuadra GA, Palazzolo DL. A Comparison of Flavorless Electronic Cigarette-Generated Aerosol and Conventional Cigarette Smoke on the Planktonic Growth of Common Oral Commensal Streptococci. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Dec 9;16(24):5004. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16245004. PMID: 31835369; PMCID: PMC6949915.

2019: Impact of cigarette smoking and vaping on the outcome of full-mouth ultrasonic scaling among patients with gingival inflammation: a prospective study

  • There are no studies that have assessed the oral soft tissue response to full-mouth ultrasonic scaling (FMUS) among cigarette-smokers (CS) (group 1), individuals vaping electronic-cigarettes (E-cigs) (group 2), and never-smokers (NS) (group 3). The aim was to assess the impact of cigarette smoking and vaping on periodontal tissues following FMUS.
  • Following FMUS, gingival inflammation is worse in CS compared with individuals vaping E-cigs and NS.
  • Citation: ALHarthi SS, BinShabaib M, Akram Z, Rahman I, Romanos GE, Javed F. Impact of cigarette smoking and vaping on the outcome of full-mouth ultrasonic scaling among patients with gingival inflammation: a prospective study. Clin Oral Investig. 2019 Jun;23(6):2751-2758. doi: 10.1007/s00784-018-2725-2. Epub 2018 Oct 26. PMID: 30361795.

2019: Clinical periodontal status and gingival crevicular fluid cytokine profile among cigarette-smokers, electronic-cigarette users and never-smokers

  • Periodontal status is poorer and GCF levels of proinflammatory cytokines are higher in cigarette-smokers compared with electronic-cigarette smokers and never-smokers. However, the probability of increased periodontal inflammation and GCF proinflammatory cytokine levels in electronic-cigarette users than never-smokers cannot be annulled.
  • Citation: BinShabaib M, ALHarthi SS, Akram Z, Khan J, Rahman I, Romanos GE, Javed F. Clinical periodontal status and gingival crevicular fluid cytokine profile among cigarette-smokers, electronic-cigarette users and never-smokers. Arch Oral Biol. 2019 Jun;102:212-217. doi: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2019.05.001. Epub 2019 May 3. PMID: 31078071.

2018: Comparative study of the effects of cigarette smoke and electronic cigarettes on human gingival fibroblast proliferation, migration and apoptosis

  • The damage to gingival fibroblasts was greater with conventional cigarette smoke condensate than with nicotine-rich e-vapor condensate.
  • Citation: Alanazi, Humidah; Park, Hyun Jin; Chakir, Jamila; Semlali, Abdelhabib; Rouabhia, Mahmoud (2018). Comparative study of the effects of cigarette smoke and electronic cigarettes on human gingival fibroblast proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 118(), 390–398. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2018.05.049

2018: Assessment of enamel discoloration in vitro following exposure to cigarette smoke and emissions from novel vapor and tobacco heating products

  • For the first time, diverse NGPs [next generation tobacco and nicotine products] across the risk continuum were assessed in vitro for their impact on enamel staining. CS exposure significantly increased the level of bovine enamel sample discoloration, whereas THP1.0 [tobacco heated product] or NVP [nicotine vapor product] exposure resulted in values comparable to the controls.
  • Citation: Dalrymple A, Badrock TC, Terry A, Barber M, Hall PJ, Thorne D, Gaca MD, Coburn S, Proctor C. Assessment of enamel discoloration in vitro following exposure to cigarette smoke and emissions from novel vapor and tobacco heating products. Am J Dent. 2018 Oct;31(5):227-233. PMID: 30346667.

2018: Effects of tobacco smoke and electronic cigarette vapor exposure on the oral and gut microbiota in humans: a pilot study

  • In summary, we found that tobacco smoking significantly alters the bacterial profiles in feces, buccal, and saliva samples. Compared to controls, exposure to ECs had no effect on the oral or gut communities. Changes in the gut microbiota of tobacco smokers were associated with increased relative abundance of Prevotella and decreased relative abundance of Bacteroides. From a microbial ecology perspective, this study supports the perception that ECs represent a safer alternative to tobacco smoking.
  • Citation: Stewart CJ, Auchtung TA, Ajami NJ, Velasquez K, Smith DP, De La Garza R 2nd, Salas R, Petrosino JF. Effects of tobacco smoke and electronic cigarette vapor exposure on the oral and gut microbiota in humans: a pilot study. PeerJ. 2018 Apr 30;6:e4693. doi: 10.7717/peerj.4693. Erratum in: PeerJ. 2018 Aug 23;6: PMID: 29736335; PMCID: PMC5933315.

2017: Comparison of Periodontal Parameters and Self-Perceived Oral Symptoms Among Cigarette Smokers, Individuals Vaping Electronic Cigarettes, and Never-Smokers

  • To the authors’ knowledge, there are no studies that have compared periodontal parameters and self-perceived oral symptoms (OSs) among cigarette smokers (CSs) (group 1), individuals exclusively vaping electronic cigarettes (group 2), and never-smokers (NSs) (group 3).
  • Periodontal inflammation and self-perceived OSs were poorer among CSs than among vaping individuals and NSs.
  • Citation: Javed, F., Abduljabbar, T., Vohra, F., Malmstrom, H., Rahman, I. and Romanos, G.E. (2017), Comparison of Periodontal Parameters and Self-Perceived Oral Symptoms Among Cigarette Smokers, Individuals Vaping Electronic Cigarettes, and Never-Smokers. Journal of Periodontology, 88: 1059-1065. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2017.170197

2016: Electronic Cigarette: Role in the Primary Prevention of Oral Cavity Cancer

  • Cigarette smoke has been identified as the main cause of oral cavity carcinoma. ...in our in vivo study, the oral cavity cells of e-cigarette smokers showed CMN and TMN values similar to those of healthy controls, indicating the safety of e-cigarettes. The use of electronic cigarettes seems to be safe for oral cells and should be suggested as an aid to smoking cessation.
  • Citation: Franco T, Trapasso S, Puzzo L, Allegra E. Electronic Cigarette: Role in the Primary Prevention of Oral Cavity Cancer. Clin Med Insights Ear Nose Throat. 2016 Oct 17;9:7-12. doi: 10.4137/CMENT.S40364. PMID: 27773997; PMCID: PMC5068504.

2015: Article: Oral Health Foundation: (Formerly known as the British Dental Health Foundation)

  • "Smoking is the cause of many serious oral health problems, including worsening gum disease, which is one of the most common causes of caries in UK adults. It is also responsible for the majority or mouth cancers and is the direct cause of thousands of deaths every year. Every year almost seven thousand people in the UK are diagnosed with mouth cancer, and it leads to more deaths than testicular and cervical cancer combined."
  • "We need to spread the message that e-cigarettes, while not risk free, are much less harmful than smoking, as currently nearly half the population are not aware of this… The British Dental Health Foundation believe that there is a long way to go to before we get to a smoke-free lifestyle but any way which smoking numbers can be cut, and therefore lives saved, is positive and one which we will support.”

Respiratory System

2022: MRI Shows Lung Perfusion Changes after Vaping and Smoking

  • MRI Shows Lung Perfusion Changes after Vaping and Smoking. MRI shows that the lungs of vapers have better blood circulation than those of smokers.
  • Citation: MRI Shows Lung Perfusion Changes after Vaping and Smoking, Sylvia Nyilas, Grzegorz Bauman, Insa Korten, Orso Pusterla, Florian Singer, Michael Ith, Cindy Groen, Anna Schoeni, Johannes T. Heverhagen, Andreas Christe, Nicolas Rodondi, Oliver Bieri, Thomas Geiser, Reto Auer, Manuela Funke-Chambour, and Lukas Ebner Radiology 2022 304:1, 195-204

2021: Impact of exclusive e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products use on muco-ciliary clearance

  • Former smokers who have switched to exclusive regular use of combustion-free nicotine delivery systems (i.e., ECs and HTPs) exhibit similar saccharin transit time as never and former smokers. This suggests that combustion-free nicotine delivery technologies are unlikely to have detrimental effects on MCC function. Former smokers who have switched to exclusive regular use of combustion-free nicotine delivery systems (i.e., ECs and HTPs) exhibit similar saccharin transit time as never and former smokers. This suggests that combustion-free nicotine delivery technologies are unlikely to have detrimental effects on MCC function.
  • Citation: Polosa R, Emma R, Cibella F, Caruso M, Conte G, Benfatto F, Ferlito S, Gulino A, Malerba M, Caponnetto P. Impact of exclusive e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products use on muco-ciliary clearance. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2021 Aug 12;12:20406223211035267. doi: 10.1177/20406223211035267. PMID: 34422253; PMCID: PMC8371723.

2021: Electronic nicotine delivery systems exhibit reduced bronchial epithelial cells toxicity compared to cigarette: the Replica Project

  • Taken together, independent data from multiple laboratories clearly demonstrated the reduced toxicity of ENDS products compared to cigarettes.
  • Citation: Caruso, M., Emma, R., Distefano, A. et al. Electronic nicotine delivery systems exhibit reduced bronchial epithelial cells toxicity compared to cigarette: the Replica Project. Sci Rep 11, 24182 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-03310-y

2021: Cigarette smoke preparations, not electronic nicotine delivery system preparations, induce features of lung disease in a 3D lung repeat-dose model

  • We show that 1-h daily exposure of normal human bronchial epithelial NHBE cultures over a 10-day period to combustible cigarette whole smoke-conditioned media (WS-CM) increased expression of oxidative stress markers, cell proliferation, airway remodeling, and cellular transformation markers and decreased mucociliary function including ion channel function and airway surface liquid. Conversely, aerosol conditioned media (ACM) from ENDS with similar nicotine concentration (equivalent-nicotine units) as WS-CM and nicotine alone had no effect on those parameters.
  • Citation: Rayner RE, Makena P, Prasad GL, Cormet-Boyaka E. Cigarette smoke preparations, not electronic nicotine delivery system preparations, induce features of lung disease in a 3D lung repeat-dose model. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2021 Feb 1;320(2):L276-L287. doi: 10.1152/ajplung.00452.2020. Epub 2020 Nov 18. PMID: 33207918.

2020: Benefits of e-cigarettes in smoking reduction and in pulmonary health among chronic smokers undergoing a lung cancer screening program at 6 months

  • Pulmonary health, assessed with self-reported measures, clinical evaluations and the Leicester Cough Questionnaire, improved in participants who stopped smoking compared to their own baseline. Moreover, participants in this group [nicotine e-cigarettes] showed the lowest level of exhaled carbon monoxide, and the lowest level of dependence compared to the nicotine-free e-cigarette and control conditions.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Lucchiari, Claudio; Masiero, Marianna; Mazzocco, Ketti; Veronesi, Giulia; Maisonneuve, Patrick; Jemos, Constantine; Omodeo Salè, Emanuela; Spina, Stefania; Bertolotti, Raffaella; Pravettoni, Gabriella (2020). Benefits of e-cigarettes in smoking reduction and in pulmonary health among chronic smokers undergoing a lung cancer screening program at 6 months. Addictive Behaviors, 103(), 106222–. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106222

2020: E-Cigarettes and Respiratory Disease: A Replication, Extension, and Future Directions

  • The statistical associations between e-cigarette use and respiratory disease are driven by e-cigarette users who are also current or former smokers of combustible tobacco.
  • A striking feature of the data is that almost all e-cigarette users were either current or former smokers of combustible tobacco.
  • Among respondents who had never smoked combustible tobacco, we find no evidence that current or former e-cigarette use is associated with respiratory disease.
  • PDF
  • Citation: E-Cigarettes and Respiratory Disease: A Replication, Extension, and Future Directions, Donald S. Kenkel, Alan D. Mathios, and Hua Wang, NBER Working Paper No. 27507, July 2020, JEL No. I12

2020: Exclusive e-cigarette users report lower levels of respiratory symptoms relative to dual e-cigarette and cigarette users

  • Findings suggest that differences in respiratory symptoms between dual and exclusive e-cigarette users appear to be attributable to combustible cigarette smoking, rather than more intense or frequent e-cigarette use across groups.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Rachel N Cassidy, Jennifer W Tidey, Suzanne M Colby, Exclusive E-Cigarette Users Report Lower Levels of Respiratory Symptoms Relative to Dual E-Cigarette and Cigarette Users, Nicotine & Tobacco Research, Volume 22, Issue Supplement_1, December 2020, Pages S54–S60, https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntaa150

2020: COPD smokers who switched to e-cigarettes: health outcomes at 5-year follow up

  • The present study suggests that EC use may ameliorate objective and subjective COPD outcomes, and that the benefits gained appear to persist long term. EC use for abstinence and smoking reduction may ameliorate some of the harm resulting from tobacco smoking in COPD patients.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Polosa, R., Morjaria, J. B., Prosperini, U., Busà, B., Pennisi, A., Malerba, M., … Caponnetto, P. (2020). COPD smokers who switched to e-cigarettes: health outcomes at 5-year follow up. Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease, 11, 204062232096161. doi:10.1177/2040622320961617

2020: Vaping effects on asthma: results from a web survey and clinical investigation

  • Almost all of the asthmatics who previously smoked would recommend switching to e-cig, and vaping did not worsen their asthma symptoms. Furthermore, switching from tobacco smoking to e-cigs showed a significant improvement in asthma control and quality of life, not showing, in the period studied, to affect pulmonary function tests.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Solinas A, Paoletti G, Firinu D, Di Pino M, Tusconi M, Mura JF, Del Giacco S, Marongiu F. Vaping effects on asthma: results from a web survey and clinical investigation. Intern Emerg Med. 2020 Jun;15(4):663-671. doi: 10.1007/s11739-019-02247-5. Epub 2020 Jan 20. PMID: 31960343.

2019: The effect of e-cigarette aerosol emissions on respiratory health: a narrative review.

  • Expert opinion: There is growing evidence to support the relative safety of E-Cigarette (EC) emission aerosols for the respiratory tract compared to tobacco smoke.
  • This review article shows that although some potential effects on respiratory cell types can be shown in vitro, and low levels of chronic irritation of the respiratory tract can be anticipated at certain levels of vaping, these effects are much less than those of smoking. The clinical evidence confirms that ECs are unlikely to raise significant health concerns for the respiratory tract under normal conditions of use.
  • Promoting further access to ECs may offer an opportunity to reduce or prevent some of the otherwise inevitable burden of respiratory morbidity and mortality caused by tobacco smoking
  • ...we are now confident that current vaping products are much less harmful than conventional cigarettes as well as earlier EC designs.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Polosa, Riccardo; O’Leary, Renée; Tashkin, Donald; Emma, Rosalia; Caruso, Massimo (2019). The effect of e-cigarette aerosol emissions on respiratory health: a narrative review. Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine, (), 1–17. doi:10.1080/17476348.2019.1649146

2018: Health effects in COPD smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes: a retrospective-prospective 3-year follow-up

  • The present study suggests that EC use may ameliorate objective and subjective COPD outcomes and that the benefits gained may persist long-term. EC use may reverse some of the harm resulting from tobacco smoking in COPD patients.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Polosa R, Morjaria JB, Prosperini U, Russo C, Pennisi A, Puleo R, Caruso M, Caponnetto P. Health effects in COPD smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes: a retrospective-prospective 3-year follow-up. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2018;13:2533-2542 https://doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S161138

2017: E-cigarettes in patients with COPD: current perspectives

  • Although ECs are not risk free, they are much less harmful than conventional tobacco smoking. The emerging clinical evidence suggests that ECs are unlikely to raise significant health concerns for the respiratory tract under normal conditions of use, even in smokers with preexisting lung disease. In particular, recent studies in COPD and chronic asthma suggest that substitution of conventional tobacco cigarettes for ECs can ameliorate subjective and objective disease-related outcomes and exacerbation rates as well as improving success in abstaining from smoking long term.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Morjaria JB, Mondati E, Polosa R. E-cigarettes in patients with COPD: current perspectives. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2017;12:3203-3210 https://doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S135323

2017: Reduced biological effect of e-cigarette aerosol compared to cigarette smoke evaluated in vitro using normalized nicotine dose and RNA-seq-based toxicogenomics

  • Here, we assessed the transcriptional response of a primary 3D airway model acutely exposed to e-cigarette aerosol and cigarette (3R4F) smoke.
  • Based on equivalent or higher nicotine delivery, an acute exposure to e-cigarette aerosol had a reduced impact on gene expression compared to 3R4F smoke exposure in vitro.
  • Therefore, we can conclude that the data strongly supports the adverse effect of acute exposure to cigarette smoke on MucilAir™ cells with functional enrichment for cancer, inflammation and fibrosis genes. In contrast, RNA-seq-based toxicogenomics showed a reduced impact of e-cigarette aerosols acute exposure on MucilAir™ cells compared with 3R4F reference cigarette at equivalent or higher dose of nicotine exposure.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Haswell LE, Baxter A, Banerjee A, Verrastro I, Mushonganono J, Adamson J, Thorne D, Gaça M, Minet E. Reduced biological effect of e-cigarette aerosol compared to cigarette smoke evaluated in vitro using normalized nicotine dose and RNA-seq-based toxicogenomics. Sci Rep. 2017 Apr 18;7(1):888. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-00852-y. PMID: 28420881; PMCID: PMC5429854.

2017 Have combustible cigarettes met their match? The nicotine delivery profiles and harmful constituent exposures of second-generation and third-generation electronic cigarette users

  • While not harmless, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have demonstrated a much more favourable (favorable) toxicological profile than combustible cigarettes—the worldwide leading cause of preventable death. Average eCO levels (ppm) were significantly higher in smokers than in e-cigarette users.
  • Compared with cigarettes, G2 and G3 e-cigarettes resulted in significantly lower levels of exposure to a potent lung carcinogen and cardiovascular toxicant.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Wagener TL, Floyd EL, Stepanov I, et alHave combustible cigarettes met their match? The nicotine delivery profiles and harmful constituent exposures of second-generation and third-generation electronic cigarette users Tobacco Control 2017;26:e23-e28.

2017: Electronic cigarette vapor alters the lateral structure but not tensiometric properties of calf lung surfactant

  • While both e-cigarette vapor and conventional cigarette smoke affect surfactant lateral structure, only cigarette smoke disrupts surfactant interfacial properties. The surfactant inhibitory compound in conventional cigarettes is tar, which is a product of burning and is thus absent in e-cigarette vapor.
  • Citation: Przybyla, R.J., Wright, J., Parthiban, R. et al. Electronic cigarette vapor alters the lateral structure but not tensiometric properties of calf lung surfactant. Respir Res 18, 193 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-017-0676-9

2016: Evidence for harm reduction in COPD smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes (EC’s)

  • These findings suggest that ECs use may aid smokers with COPD reduce their cigarette consumption or remain abstinent, which results in marked improvements in annual exacerbation rate as well as subjective and objective COPD outcomes.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Polosa R, Morjaria JB, Caponnetto P, Prosperini U, Russo C, Pennisi A, Bruno CM. Evidence for harm reduction in COPD smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes. Respir Res. 2016 Dec 16;17(1):166. doi: 10.1186/s12931-016-0481-x. PMID: 27986085; PMCID: PMC5162097.

2016: Changes in the Frequency of Airway Infections in Smokers Who Switched to Vaping: Results of an Online Survey

  • 941 responses were received. Overall, 29% of responders reported no change in respiratory symptoms, 5% reported worsening, and 66% reported an improvement.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Miler JA, Mayer BM, Hajek P (2016) Changes in the Frequency of Airway Infections in Smokers who Switched to Vaping: Results of an Online Survey. J Addict Res Ther 7:290. doi:10.4172/2155-6105.1000290

2016: Changes in breathomics from a 1‐year randomized smoking cessation trial of electronic cigarettes

  • Smokers invited to switch to electronic cigarettes who completely abstained from smoking showed steady progressive improvements in their exhaled breath measurements and symptom scores. FeNo and eCO normalization is highly supportive of improved respiratory health outcomes and adds to the notion that quitting from tobacco smoking can reverse harm in the lung.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Campagna, Davide; Cibella, Fabio; Caponnetto, Pasquale; Amaradio, Maria Domenica; Caruso, Massimo; Morjaria, Jaymin B.; Malerba, Mario; Polosa, Riccardo (2016). Changes in breathomics from a 1-year randomized smoking cessation trial of electronic cigarettes. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, (), –. doi:10.1111/eci.12651

2016: Respiratory infections and pneumonia: potential benefits of switching from smoking to Vaping

  • Also, given that the propylene glycol in EC aerosols is a potent bactericidal agent, switching from smoking to regular vaping is likely to produce additional lung health benefits.
  • In conclusion, smokers who quit by switching to regular ECs use can reduce risk and reverse harm from tobacco smoking.
  • Innovation in the e-vapour category is likely not only to further minimise residual health risks, but also to maximise health benefits.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Campagna, D., Amaradio, M.D., Sands, M.F. et al. Respiratory infections and pneumonia: potential benefits of switching from smoking to vaping. pneumonia 8, 4 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41479-016-0001-2

2016: Persisting long term benefits of smoking abstinence and reduction in asthmatic smokers who have switched to electronic cigarettes

  • This prospective study confirms that EC use ameliorates objective and subjective asthma outcomes and shows that these beneficial effects may persist in the long term. EC use can reverse harm from tobacco smoking in asthma patients who smoke. The evidence-based notion that substitution of conventional cigarettes with EC is unlikely to raise significant respiratory concerns, can improve counseling between physicians and their asthmatic patients who are using or intend to use ECs.
  • Citation: Polosa R, Morjaria JB, Caponnetto P, Caruso M, Campagna D, Amaradio MD, Ciampi G, Russo C, Fisichella A. Persisting long term benefits of smoking abstinence and reduction in asthmatic smokers who have switched to electronic cigarettes. Discov Med. 2016 Feb;21(114):99-108. PMID: 27011045.

2014: Effect of Smoking Abstinence and Reduction in Asthmatic Smokers Switching to Electronic Cigarettes: Evidence for Harm Reversal

  • The e-cig may help smokers with asthma to reduce their cigarette consumption or remain abstinent and hence reduce the burden of smoking-related asthma symptoms. The positive findings observed with e-cigs allows us to advance the hypothesis that these products may be valuable for smoking cessation and/or tobacco harm reduction also in asthma patients who smoke.
  • By substantially reducing number of cigarettes smoked per day and exposure to their hazardous toxicants, e-cigs may not only improve asthma symptoms and pulmonary function but may also confer an overall health advantage in smokers with asthma. Therefore, e-cig use in asthmatic smokers unable or unwilling to quit should be exploited as a safer alternative approach to harm-reversal (i.e., specific reversal of asthma-related outcomes) and, in general, to harm-reduction (i.e., overall reduction of smoke-related diseases).
  • PDF
  • Citation: Polosa R, Morjaria J, Caponnetto P, Caruso M, Strano S, Battaglia E, Russo C. Effect of smoking abstinence and reduction in asthmatic smokers switching to electronic cigarettes: evidence for harm reversal. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014 May 8;11(5):4965-77. doi: 10.3390/ijerph110504965. PMID: 24814944; PMCID: PMC4053879.

Toxicity Vaping vs Smoking

2023: Biomarkers of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) use.

  • Highlights
    • Biomarkers play an essential role in characterizing the health risks of ENDS.
    • Identification of biomarkers specific to ENDS remains a challenge.
    • Levels of many toxicant biomarkers in ENDS users do not differ from non-users.
    • Exclusive ENDS users show lower concentrations of toxicant biomarkers compared with smokers.
    • In studies on ENDS, it may be beneficial to use a panel of biomarkers
  • The biomarker levels of many tobacco-related toxicants measured in biological samples collected from ENDS users did not differ significantly from non-users, except for nicotine metabolites and a small number of biomarkers of exposure to volatile organic compounds and tobacco-specific tobacco nitrosamines. Several studies have shown that while exposed to nicotine, long-term exclusive ENDS users showed significantly lower levels of toxicant biomarkers than cigarette smokers.
  • Citation: Goniewicz ML. Addict Neurosci. 2023 Jun;6:100077. doi: 10.1016/j.addicn.2023.100077. Epub 2023 Feb 26. PMID: 3708924

2023: Cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and genotoxicity of electronic cigarettes emission aerosols compared to cigarette smoke: the REPLICA project

  • The results showed high cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and genotoxicity induced by cigarette smoke, but slight or no cytotoxic, mutagenic and genotoxic effects induced by the e-cigarette aerosol. Although the two studies presented some methodological differences, the findings supported those previously presented by Rudd and colleagues.
  • Citation: Emma, R., Fuochi, V., Distefano, A., Partsinevelos, K., Rust, S., Zadjali, F., Al Tobi, M., Zadjali, R., Alharthi, Z., Pulvirenti, R., Furneri, P. M., Polosa, R., Sun, A., Caruso, M., & Li Volti, G. (2023). Cytotoxicity, mutagenicity and genotoxicity of electronic cigarettes emission aerosols compared to cigarette smoke: The REPLICA project. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44626-1

2022: Increased Levels of the Acrolein Metabolite 3-Hydroxypropyl Mercapturic Acid in the Urine of e-Cigarette Users

  • All analytes were significantly higher in cigarette smokers than in either e-cigarette users or nonsmokers.
  • Citation: Chen M, Carmella SG, Lindgren BR, Luo X, Ikuemonisan J, Niesen B, Thomson NM, Murphy SE, Hatsukami DK, Hecht SS. Increased Levels of the Acrolein Metabolite 3-Hydroxypropyl Mercapturic Acid in the Urine of e-Cigarette Users. Chem Res Toxicol. 2023 Apr 17;36(4):583-588. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.2c00145. Epub 2022 Jul 20. PMID: 35858275; PMCID: PMC9852357.

2022: Nicotine products relative risk assessment: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] Previously titled: Nicotine products relative risk assessment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  • In this update, 70 new studies were added to the synthesis, making a total of 123 studies included. All combustible tobacco products score between 40 and 100, with bidis and smokeless (rest of world) also in this range. All other products have a combined risk score of 10 or less, including U.S. chewing tobacco, U.S. dipping tobacco, snus, heat-not-burn tobacco, electronic cigarettes, non-tobacco pouches and nicotine replacement therapy.
  • Citation: Murkett R, Rugh M and Ding B. Nicotine products relative risk assessment: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis [version 2; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations]. F1000Research 2022, 9:1225 (https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.26762.2)

2021: Screening of different cytotoxicity methods for the assessment of ENDS toxicity relative to tobacco cigarettes

  • All tests showed reduced cell viability following 1R6F smoke exposure and slight or no reduction with ENDS at 24 hours.
  • PDF
  • Citation: Caruso M, Emma R, Rust S, Distefano A, Carota G, Pulvirenti R, Polosa R, Li Volti G. Screening of different cytotoxicity methods for the assessment of ENDS toxicity relative to tobacco cigarettes. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2021 Oct;125:105018. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.105018. Epub 2021 Jul 24. PMID: 34314750.

2021: The Chemical Complexity of e-Cigarette Aerosols Compared With the Smoke From a Tobacco Burning Cigarette

  • Levels of the targeted toxicants in the e-cigarette aerosols were significantly lower than those in cigarette smoke, with 68.5->99% reductions under ISO 3308 puffing conditions and 88.4->99% reductions under ISO 20778 (intense) conditions; reductions against the WHO TobReg 9 priority list were around 99%.
  • Citation: Margham J, McAdam K, Cunningham A, Porter A, Fiebelkorn S, Mariner D, Digard H, Proctor C. The Chemical Complexity of e-Cigarette Aerosols Compared With the Smoke From a Tobacco Burning Cigarette. Front Chem. 2021 Sep 30;9:743060. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2021.743060. PMID: 34660535; PMCID: PMC8514950.

2021: Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress among Adult Former Smoker, Current E-Cigarette Users-Results from Wave 1 PATH Study

  • Exclusive e-cigarette users have biomarker concentrations that are similar to those of former smokers who do not currently use tobacco, and lower than those of exclusive cigarette smokers.
  • Citation: Christensen CH, Chang JT, Rostron BL, Hammad HT, van Bemmel DM, Del Valle-Pinero AY, Wang B, Mishina EV, Faulcon LM, DePina A, Brown-Baker L, Kimmel HL, Lambert E, Blount BC, Vesper HW, Wang L, Goniewicz ML, Hyland A, Travers MJ, Hatsukami DK, Niaura R, Cummings KM, Taylor KA, Edwards KC, Borek N, Ambrose BK, Chang CM. Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress among Adult Former Smoker, Current E-Cigarette Users-Results from Wave 1 PATH Study. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2021 Oct;30(10):1947-1955. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-21-0140. Epub 2021 Jul 21. PMID: 34289969; PMCID: PMC8500540.

2021: Clinical Pharmacology of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Implications for Benefits and Risks in the Promotion of the Combusted Tobacco Endgame

  • “If smokers used ENDS to quit smoking, even if they continued to use ENDS, we expect that there would be an enormous benefit to public health.”
  • Summary of paper by Dr. Colin Mendelsohn
    • Nicotine
      • Nicotine per se is not harmless, but is much less harmful than combusted tobacco use. The effects of nicotine include ’pleasure, arousal and stimulation, and reduction of anxiety and mood stabilization’
      • Vapers and smokers take in the same amount of nicotine into the body each day
      • Daily intake of nicotine is much the same for users of high powered devices with 3-6mg/ml for MTL as for low powered pod devices with 60mg/ml nicotine for MTL
      • Experienced users take in more nicotine than new vapers, so satisfaction increases over time
      • E-liquids with high levels of propylene glycol deliver more nicotine than those with lower levels with the same nicotine concentration.
      • Of the nicotine that is inhaled from an e-cigarette, more than 90% is retained by the smoker so very little is released into the surrounding air.
      • One 5% JUUL pod delivers a similar amount of nicotine to smoking around 18 cigarettes.
      • The rate of rise of nicotine in the blood is similar for cigarettes and e-cigarettes, but in general peak levels of nicotine are lower with e-cigarettes.
    • Safety of vaping
      • ENDS products expose users to much lower levels of toxicants compared with cigarette smoking. Based on the far lower number and levels of potential toxins in ENDS aerosol, it is predicted that toxicity will be much lower than that of smoking, but toxicity will likely differ by device.
      • High powered devices have a greater health risk. The clouds are larger and the higher temperatures create more toxic chemicals. Devices with high concentrations of nicotine salt generate smaller, cooler clouds with less toxin exposure.
      • Although no smoking or vaping is preferred, switching to less harmful e-cigarettes long-term would likely reduce smoking-related disease risk and would be an acceptable alternative compared with regular use of tobacco cigarettes.
      • Dripping” (ie, dripping drops of the e-liquid directly onto the heating element and then inhaling the produced vapor) can lead to high liquid heating temperatures and generation of harmful more chemicals.
      • Long-term harm is unknown because the products have not been used for long-enough
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Benowitz, N.L., St.Helen, G. and Liakoni, E. (2021), Clinical Pharmacology of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS): Implications for Benefits and Risks in the Promotion of the Combusted Tobacco Endgame. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 61: S18-S36. doi:10.1002/jcph.1915

2020: Association of electronic cigarette use with lead, cadmium, barium, and antimony body burden: NHANES 2015-2016

  • In this study, blood lead levels, and urinary cadmium, barium, and antimony levels were similar between participants who ever-used e-cigarettes and participants who did not, and therefore, e-cigarette use was not a major source of heavy metals.
  • However, participants with a smoking history were more likely to have higher blood lead and urinary cadmium than participants who neither used e-cigarettes nor cigarettes.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: R. Constance Wiener, Ruchi Bhandari, Association of electronic cigarette use with lead, cadmium, barium, and antimony body burden: NHANES 2015-2016, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Volume 62, 2020, 126602, ISSN 0946-672X, doi: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2020.126602

2020: Urinary Biomarkers of Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study Wave 1 (2013–2014)

  • We produced linear regression models for six VOCMs with sex, age, race, and tobacco user group as predictor variables. Creatinine-ratioed levels of VOCMs from exposure to acrolein, crotonaldehyde, isoprene, acrylonitrile, and 1,3-butadiene were significantly higher in smokers than in never users. Small differences of VOCM levels among exclusive e-cigarette users and smokeless users were observed when compared to never users. Smokers showed higher VOCM concentrations than e-cigarette, smokeless, and never users.
  • Citation: De Jesús VR, Bhandari D, Zhang L, Reese C, Capella K, Tevis D, Zhu W, Del Valle-Pinero AY, Lagaud G, Chang JT, van Bemmel D, Kimmel HL, Sharma E, Goniewicz ML, Hyland A, Blount BC. Urinary Biomarkers of Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study Wave 1 (2013-2014). Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jul 28;17(15):5408. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17155408. PMID: 32731321; PMCID: PMC7432690.

2020: Characterization of Volatile Organic Compound Metabolites in Cigarette Smokers, Electronic Nicotine Device Users, Dual Users, and Nonusers of Tobacco

  • In multivariable-adjusted models, sole ENDS users had higher levels of metabolites of acrolein, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, and xylene compared with nonusers of tobacco, but lower levels of most VOC metabolites compared with cigarette smokers or dual users.
  • Citation: Keith RJ, Fetterman JL, Orimoloye OA, Dardari Z, Lorkiewicz PK, Hamburg NM, DeFilippis AP, Blaha MJ, Bhatnagar A. Characterization of Volatile Organic Compound Metabolites in Cigarette Smokers, Electronic Nicotine Device Users, Dual Users, and Nonusers of Tobacco. Nicotine Tob Res. 2020 Feb 6;22(2):264-272. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntz021. PMID: 30759242; PMCID: PMC7297089.

2019: Comparison of systemic exposure to toxic and/or carcinogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during vaping, smoking, and abstention

  • E-cigarettes expose users to lower levels of toxic VOCs compared to cigarette smoking, supporting their harm reduction potential among smokers.
  • Citation: St Helen G, Liakoni E, Nardone N, Addo N, Jacob P 3rd, Benowitz NL. Comparison of Systemic Exposure to Toxic and/or Carcinogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) during Vaping, Smoking, and Abstention. Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2020 Feb;13(2):153-162. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-19-0356. Epub 2019 Sep 25. PMID: 31554628; PMCID: PMC7007368.

2018: NASEM report on E-Cig Health Effects evaluates the available evidence of health effects related to the use of E-cigarettes: Public Health Consequences of E-Cigarettes

  • Report At A Glance: Comparisons of using e-cigarettes vs smoking:
    • There is conclusive evidence that completely substituting e-cigarettes for combustible tobacco cigarettes reduces users’ exposure to numerous toxicants and carcinogens present in combustible tobacco cigarettes.
    • There is substantial evidence that except for nicotine, under typical conditions of use, exposure to potentially toxic substances from e-cigarettes is significantly lower compared with combustible tobacco cigarettes.
    • There is substantial evidence that completely switching from regular use of combustible tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes results in reduced short-term adverse health outcomes in several organ systems.
    • There is moderate evidence that risk and severity of dependence are lower for e-cigarettes than combustible tobacco cigarettes.
    • There is moderate evidence from randomized controlled trials that e-cigarettes with nicotine are more effective than e-cigarettes without nicotine for smoking cessation.
    • While the overall evidence from observational trials is mixed, there is moderate evidence from observational studies that more frequent use of e-cigarettes is associated with an increased likelihood of cessation.
    • There is moderate evidence that second-hand exposure to nicotine and particulates is lower from e-cigarettes compared with combustible tobacco cigarettes.
    • There is limited evidence for improvement in lung function and respiratory symptoms among adult smokers with asthma who switch to e-cigarettes completely or in part (dual use).
    • There is limited evidence for reduction of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations among adult smokers with COPD who switch to e-cigarettes completely or in part (dual use).
    • There is limited evidence suggesting that switching to e-cigarettes will improve periodontal disease in smokers.

2018 Comparison of Nicotine and Toxicant Exposure in Users of Electronic Cigarettes and Combustible Cigarettes

  • In this population-based cohort study of 5105 participants, current exclusive e-cigarette users had greater concentrations of biomarkers of nicotine, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, volatile organic compounds, and metals compared with never tobacco users. However, these concentrations were lower than those observed in current exclusive cigarette smokers and dual users of both products.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Goniewicz ML, Smith DM, Edwards KC, Blount BC, Caldwell KL, Feng J, Wang L, Christensen C, Ambrose B, Borek N, van Bemmel D, Konkel K, Erives G, Stanton CA, Lambert E, Kimmel HL, Hatsukami D, Hecht SS, Niaura RS, Travers M, Lawrence C, Hyland AJ. Comparison of Nicotine and Toxicant Exposure in Users of Electronic Cigarettes and Combustible Cigarettes. JAMA Netw Open. 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e185937. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5937. PMID: 30646298; PMCID: PMC6324349.

2018 Chemical Composition of myblu™ Pod-System E-Cigarette Aerosols: A Quantitative Comparison with Conventional Cigarette Smoke

  • Of the 51 toxicants tested, eight were detected in the e-cigarette aerosols but at substantially lower levels than reported in cigarette smoke.
  • Link above to the PDF form of the information presented at: 1st Scientific Summit, Tobacco Harm Reduction, Kallithea, Greece, June 2018
  • Citation: Grant O’Connell1, Tanvir Walele1, Chris Prue1, Gene Gillman, Xavier Cahours, Olivia Hibbert & John D. Pritchard

2017 Trace Metals Derived from Electronic Cigarette (ECIG) Generated Aerosol: Potential Problem of ECIG Devices That Contain Nickel

  • In general, the findings of this study suggest that the concentrations of most trace metals extracted from cigarette smoke exceed the concentrations of trace metals extracted from ECIG-generated aerosol.
  • Only Ni in the ECIG-generated aerosol was higher than control (smoke). The most probable source of Ni in this aerosol is the core assembly.
  • From this study, it is unlikely that the ECIG-generated aerosol contains enough of the other trace metals to induce significant pathology.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Palazzolo, D. L., Crow, A. P., Nelson, J. M., & Johnson, R. A. (2017). Trace Metals Derived from Electronic Cigarette (ECIG) Generated Aerosol: Potential Problem of ECIG Devices That Contain Nickel. Frontiers in Physiology, 7. doi:10.3389/fphys.2016.00663

2017 Benzene formation in electronic cigarettes

  • The risks from benzene will be lower from e-cigarettes than from conventional cigarettes.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Pankow JF, Kim K, McWhirter KJ, Luo W, Escobedo JO, Strongin RM, Duell AK, Peyton DH. Benzene formation in electronic cigarettes. PLoS One. 2017 Mar 8;12(3):e0173055. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173055. PMID: 28273096; PMCID: PMC5342216.

2016: Royal College of Physicians - Nicotine without Smoke

  • Provision of the nicotine that smokers are addicted to without the harmful components of tobacco smoke can prevent most of the harm from smoking.
  • E-cigarettes are marketed as consumer products and are proving much more popular than NRT as a substitute and competitor for tobacco cigarettes.
  • E-cigarettes appear to be effective when used by smokers as an aid to quitting smoking.
  • The hazard to health arising from long-term vapour (vapor) inhalation from the e-cigarettes available today is unlikely to exceed 5% of the harm from smoking tobacco.
  • In the interests of public health it is important to promote the use of e-cigarettes, NRT and other non-tobacco nicotine products as widely as possible as a substitute for smoking…
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Royal College of Physicians. Nicotine without smoke: Tobacco harm reduction. London: RCP, 2016.

2016 A randomised, parallel group study to evaluate the safety profile of an electronic vapour (vapor) product over 12 weeks

  • In this study, we have demonstrated that no clinically relevant, product-related safety findings were observed for smokers of Combustible Cigarettes (CCs) switching to an Electronic Vapor Product (EVP) for 12 weeks under real-life settings. AEs reported by subjects switching to the EVP occurred primarily within the first week after switching, and only 1.3% of all AEs reported were considered to be almost definitely related to the product. Up to a third of all reported AEs in the EVP group were related to nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which were observed to decrease after the first two weeks from product switch. EVP use was associated with significant decreases in exposure to nicotine and other chemicals such as benzene and acrolein, typically found in CC smoke. Changes were also observed in the level of WBC, haemoglobin, RBC and LDL cholesterol, which although minor, were consistent with those observed after smoking cessation. The data presented in this study shows the potential that EVPs may offer to smokers looking for an alternative to CCs.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Ana S. Cravo, Jim Bush, Girish Sharma, Rebecca Savioz, Claire Martin, Simon Craige, Tanvir Walele, A randomised, parallel group study to evaluate the safety profile of an electronic vapour product over 12 weeks, Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, Volume 81, Supplement 1, 2016, Pages S1-S14, ISSN 0273-2300, doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.10.003

2016 Tobacco Consumption and Toxicant Exposure of Cigarette Smokers Using Electronic Cigarettes

  • Smokers using ECs over 4 weeks maintained cotinine levels and experienced significant reductions in carbon monoxide, NNAL, and two out of eight measured VOC metabolites. Those who switched exclusively to ECs for at least half of the study period significantly reduced two additional VOCs.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Pulvers, K., Emami, A. S., Nollen, N. L., Romero, D. R., Strong, D. R., Benowitz, N. L., & Ahluwalia, J. S. (2016). Tobacco Consumption and Toxicant Exposure of Cigarette Smokers Using Electronic Cigarettes. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, ntw333. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntw333

2016 Reductions in biomarkers of exposure, impacts on smoking urge and assessment of product use and tolerability in adult smokers following partial or complete substitution of cigarettes with electronic cigarettes

  • Subjects switching to e-cigarettes had significantly lower levels (29 %–95 %) of urinary BoEs after 5 days. Nicotine equivalents declined by 25 %–40 %.
  • Dual users who substituted half of their self-reported daily cigarette consumption with e-cigarettes experienced 7 %–38 % reductions, but had increases (1 %–20 %) in nicotine equivalents.
  • Blood nicotine biomarker levels were lower in the cessation (75 %–96 %) and e-cigarette use groups (11 %–83 %); dual users had no significant reductions.
  • All groups experienced significant decreases in exhaled CO (27 %–89 %). Exhaled NO increases (46 %–63 %) were observed in the cessation and e-cigarette use groups; dual users had minimal changes.
  • By Day 5, all groups had greater reductions in smoking urge compared to cessation. However, reductions were larger in the dual use group.
  • No serious adverse events were observed.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: D'Ruiz CD, Graff DW, Robinson E. Reductions in biomarkers of exposure, impacts on smoking urge and assessment of product use and tolerability in adult smokers following partial or complete substitution of cigarettes with electronic cigarettes. BMC Public Health. 2016 Jul 11;16:543. doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3236-1. PMID: 27401980; PMCID: PMC4940751.

2016 Electronic cigarette aerosol induces significantly less cytotoxicity than tobacco smoke

  • Under the conditions tested, Vype ePen e-cigarette aerosol was significantly less cytotoxic than reference 3R4F cigarette smoke.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Azzopardi, D., Patel, K., Jaunky, T., Santopietro, S., Camacho, O. M., McAughey, J., & Gaça, M. (2016). Electronic cigarette aerosol induces significantly less cytotoxicity than tobacco smoke. Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods, 26(6), 477–491. doi:10.1080/15376516.2016.1217112

2014 Comparison of select analytes in aerosol from e-cigarettes with smoke from conventional cigarettes and with ambient air

  • Mainstream cigarette smoke HPHCs (∼3000 μg/puff) were 1500 times higher than e-cigarette HPHCs.
  • No significant contribution of tested HPHC classes was found for the e-cigarettes.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Tayyarah, R., & Long, G. A. (2014). Comparison of select analytes in aerosol from e-cigarettes with smoke from conventional cigarettes and with ambient air. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 70(3), 704–710. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.10.010

2014 Safety evaluation and risk assessment of electronic cigarettes as tobacco cigarette substitutes: a systematic review

  • Existing evidence indicates that E-cigarette (EC) use is by far a less harmful alternative to smoking. There is no tobacco and no combustion involved in EC use; therefore, regular vapers may avoid several harmful toxic chemicals that are typically present in the smoke of tobacco cigarettes. Indeed, some toxic chemicals are released in the EC vapor as well, but their levels are substantially lower compared with tobacco smoke, and in some cases (such as nitrosamines) are comparable with the amounts found in pharmaceutical nicotine products. Surveys, clinical, chemistry and toxicology data have often been mispresented or misinterpreted by health authorities and tobacco regulators, in such a way that the potential for harmful consequences of EC use has been largely exaggerated. It is obvious that some residual risk associated with EC use may be present, but this is probably trivial compared with the devastating consequences of smoking. Moreover, ECs are recommended to smokers or former smokers only, as a substitute for conventional cigarettes or to prevent smoking relapse; thus, any risk should be estimated relative to the risk of continuing or relapsing back to smoking and the low efficacy of currently approved medications for smoking cessation should be taken into consideration….
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Farsalinos KE, Polosa R. Safety evaluation and risk assessment of electronic cigarettes as tobacco cigarette substitutes: a systematic review. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2014 Apr;5(2):67-86. doi: 10.1177/2042098614524430. PMID: 25083263; PMCID: PMC4110871.

2013 Cytotoxicity evaluation of electronic cigarette (EC) vapor extract on cultured mammalian fibroblasts (ClearStream-LIFE): comparison with tobacco cigarette smoke (CS) extract

  • This study indicates that EC vapor is significantly less cytotoxic compared to tobacco CS.
  • PDF Version
  • Citation: Romagna, G., Allifranchini, E., Bocchietto, E., Todeschi, S., Esposito, M., & Farsalinos, K. E. (2013). Cytotoxicity evaluation of electronic cigarette vapor extract on cultured mammalian fibroblasts (ClearStream-LIFE): comparison with tobacco cigarette smoke extract. Inhalation Toxicology, 25(6), 354–361. doi:10.3109/08958378.2013.793439

Weight

2018: Lack of Substantial Post-Cessation Weight Increase in Electronic Cigarettes Users

  • “Conclusion: Within the study limitations, EC use may help smokers attenuate cigarette consumption or remain abstinent, as well as reduce their post-cessation weight increase. The potential role of the e-vapour category for harm minimization in relation to tobacco and/or food abuse requires confirmation from larger prospective studies. Moreover, the observed lack of post-cessation weight gain in those who reduced substantially cigarette consumption by switching to ECs (i.e., dual users) is an interesting finding and calls for further research investigating the role of nicotine in weight control. Meanwhile, these preliminary findings should be communicated to smokers and particularly to weight-conscious smokers intending to quit.
  • By combining substantial reduction of smoking with prevention of post-cessation weight gain, EC-based interventions may promote an overall improvement in quality of life. Considering that the negative effects of weight increase could overshadow the health benefits of smoking abstinence, it is important to stimulate more research in this area.”
  • Citation: Russo C, Cibella F, Mondati E, Caponnetto P, Frazzetto E, Caruso M, Caci G, Polosa R. Lack of Substantial Post-Cessation Weight Increase in Electronic Cigarettes Users. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018 Mar 23;15(4):581. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15040581. PMID: 29570695; PMCID: PMC5923623.

2017: Could Vaping be a New Weapon in the Battle of the Bulge?

  • Obesity is set to overtake tobacco smoking in many countries as the primary cause of several high-cost diseases. Tobacco smoking mitigates weight gain through nicotine’s effect on the brain and metabolism.
  • There have been some reports among vapers that vaping is helping to mitigate weight gain after stopping smoking and or vaping is helping them to control their weight. There are several potential mechanisms by which vaping, in addition to the direct effects of nicotine, could facilitate weight control, these include taste perception, physical mouthfeel, and sensation and behavioral replacement.
  • Citation: Glover M, Breier BH, Bauld L. Could Vaping be a New Weapon in the Battle of the Bulge? Nicotine Tob Res. 2017 Nov 7;19(12):1536-1540. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntw278. PMID: 27798086.


Suggestions to add to this page

2021: Balancing Consideration of the Risks and Benefits of E-Cigarettes