Characteristics, Perceived Side Effects and Benefits of Electronic Cigarette Use: A Worldwide Survey of More than 19,000 Consumers

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a scientific study on the characteristics, perceived side effects, and benefits of electronic cigarette (EC) use among a large sample of EC users worldwide. The study aimed to assess the differences between those who partially and completely substituted smoking with EC use.

Key Points:

* The study included 19,414 participants, with 81.0% reporting complete substitution of smoking with EC use.
* Participants were using ECs for a median of 10 months, with most initiating use with a median nicotine concentration of 18 mg/mL.
* The most important reasons for initiating EC use were to reduce the harm associated with smoking and to reduce exposure of family members to second-hand smoking.
* More than half of the participants (59.8%) reported side effects, with the most common being sore/dry mouth and throat. However, side effects were mild and in most cases were subsequently resolved.
* Participants reported significant benefits in physical status and improvements in pre-existing disease conditions, including respiratory disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease.
* Being a former smoker was independently associated with positive effects in health and improvements in disease conditions.

Main Message:
The results of this study indicate that ECs are mostly used to avoid the harm associated with smoking and can be effective even in highly-dependent smokers. High levels of nicotine are used at initiation, but users try to reduce nicotine consumption over time. Side effects are minor, and health benefits are substantial, especially for those who completely substitute smoking with EC use. Further population and interventional studies are warranted. The study highlights the potential of ECs as a harm reduction tool for smokers, but also emphasizes the need for continued research and regulation to ensure their safe and effective use.

Farsalinos, Konstantinos, Giorgio Romagna, Dimitris Tsiapras, Stamatis Kyrzopoulos, and Vassilis Voudris. “Characteristics, Perceived Side Effects and Benefits of Electronic Cigarette Use: A Worldwide Survey of More than 19,000 Consumers.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 11, no. 4 (April 22, 2014): 4356–73. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110404356.