Patterns of electronic cigarette use and user beliefs about their safety and benefits: An Internet survey

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a scientific study examining the patterns and effects of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among users in Poland. The study also investigates user beliefs about e-cigarette safety and benefits. The text provides information on the design of the study, key findings, and the main message of the study.

Key Points:

* The study was conducted as a web-based survey of e-cigarette users in Poland.
* Participants were recruited through e-cigarette discussion forums and online retailers.
* The survey consisted of 40 questions in five categories, including demographic data, patterns of e-cigarette use, smoking history, current smoking behavior, and current health status.
* The study found that e-cigarettes were primarily used as a stop-smoking aid or as an alternative to conventional cigarettes, and the majority of respondents reported that they successfully stopped smoking.
* Participants also believed that e-cigarettes were less dangerous than conventional cigarettes and less addictive, but still perceived them as addictive.
* The study also found that e-cigarette use was associated with some potential side-effects, including headaches, cough during the day, and phlegm production.

Main Message:
The main message of the study is that e-cigarettes are being used primarily as a stop-smoking aid or as an alternative to conventional cigarettes, and the majority of respondents reported that they successfully stopped smoking. However, more data is needed on e-cigarette safety and its efficacy in harm-reduction and smoking cessation. The study also highlights the need for further research on the potential side-effects of e-cigarette use. Overall, the study suggests that e-cigarettes may be a useful tool for smoking cessation, but more research is needed to fully understand their safety and efficacy.

Goniewicz, Maciej L., Elena O. Lingas, and Peter Hajek. “Patterns of Electronic Cigarette Use and User Beliefs about Their Safety and Benefits: An I Nternet Survey.” Drug and Alcohol Review 32, no. 2 (March 2013): 133–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-3362.2012.00512.x.