Electronic cigarette use in youths: a position statement of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies

Introduction:
This text is a position statement by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies on the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among children and adolescents. The statement summarizes the current scientific evidence on the health effects of e-cigarettes, their popularity among youth, and the regulatory approaches towards them. Readers will learn about the risks associated with e-cigarette use, the factors contributing to their popularity among young people, and the recommended measures to protect children and adolescents from the harms of e-cigarettes.

Key Points:

* E-cigarettes deliver nicotine and other chemicals to the lungs, and their use has increased dramatically among youths worldwide.
* Exposure to nicotine during adolescence can have lasting adverse consequences for brain development.
* The design, flavors, marketing, and perception of safety and acceptability of e-cigarettes increase their appeal to young people.
* There is growing evidence that e-cigarettes serve as a gateway to cigarette smoking.
* E-cigarettes should be regulated as tobacco products and included in smoke-free policies.
* Sale of e-cigarettes should be barred to youths worldwide, and flavoring should be prohibited in e-cigarettes.
* Advertising accessible by youths and young adults should be banned.
* More research is needed on the health effects of e-cigarettes and surveillance of use across different countries.

Main Message:
The main message of this position statement is that e-cigarette use among children and adolescents poses a significant threat to their health, and measures should be taken to protect them from the harms associated with nicotine addiction and e-cigarette use. The recommendation to regulate e-cigarettes as tobacco products and include them in smoke-free policies is crucial to prevent youth exposure to these harmful products. The call for greater research and surveillance on e-cigarette use is also essential to better understand their health effects and inform future regulatory measures. Overall, the text emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to address the growing problem of e-cigarette use among young people.

Ferkol, Thomas W., Harold J. Farber, Stefania La Grutta, Frank T. Leone, Henry M. Marshall, Enid Neptune, Charlotta Pisinger, et al. “Electronic Cigarette Use in Youths: A Position Statement of the Forum of International Respiratory Societies.” European Respiratory Journal 51, no. 5 (May 2018): 1800278. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.00278-2018.