Electronic cigarette use, related health outcomes and policy interventions in the USA: a call for research to fill evidence gaps
A partir d'une revue systématique de la littérature publiée entre 2017 et 2024, cette étude fait le point sur les usages de la cigarette électronique par les jeunes et les adultes ainsi que sur les conséquences pour la santé
The population-level health consequences of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use are heavily debated. This special communication provides updated evidence and identifies knowledge gaps across domains including: (1) health-related outcomes associated with e-cigarette use; (2) initiation and use of e-cigarettes among youth and young adults; (3) concurrent use of electronic and combustible cigarettes; (4) transitions from combustible cigarette use to exclusive e-cigarette use among adults who currently smoke cigarettes and (5) existing e-cigarette-related policy interventions. Literature was searched through PubMed and Medline for systematic reviews, scoping reviews, meta-analyses and primary research articles including emerging topics not covered in reviews published between 1 January 2017 and 1 January 2024. E-cigarette use is associated with several adverse acute health outcomes; there is currently insufficient longitudinal evidence to predict chronic health outcomes. Prevalence of e-cigarette use among youth is considerable and may be associated with subsequent combustible cigarette smoking. Evidence for the health and behavioural impact of dual use of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes is limited by imprecise measurement of exposure. Evidence on adults completely substituting combustible cigarettes for e-cigarettes is strong in clinical trials; observational studies do not show complete substitution. Finally, the effects of e-cigarette-related policy interventions to restrict e-cigarette consumption are currently limited in scope and too short-lived to draw causal inferences. Substantial evidence gaps related to the use, associated health impacts and regulation of e-cigarettes in the USA are identified, and we suggest key areas for future research to address that are crucial for informing the public health approach to e-cigarettes.
Tobacco Control , résumé 2025