Summary
Introduction:
This text reviews the current perspectives on electronic cigarettes (ECs) and their potential respiratory toxicities. The reader will learn about the design and constituents of ECs, their biological effects, and the efficacy of ECs in smoking cessation. Additionally, the text discusses the clinical effects of EC use in specific population subgroups.
Key Points:
* ECs consist of three primary components: a power source, a heating element, and a reservoir containing e-liquid (EL).
* EL solvents and flavors are generally regarded as safe for oral consumption, but their aerosolization and subsequent inhalation may be harmful to airway mucosa and function.
* In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated cytotoxic, inflammatory, and barrier dysfunction effects of ECs.
* ECs have been associated with impaired microbial defense, including reduced surface expression of pattern recognition receptors and impaired bacterial phagocytosis.
* Human studies on the short-term and long-term health effects of EC use are limited.
* The clinical effects of EC use in nonsmokers, chronic smokers, and vulnerable populations, such as youth and those with underlying airway inflammatory disease, are subdivided and discussed.
Main Message:
The text highlights the uncertainty regarding the safety and efficacy of ECs and emphasizes the need for further research to arm the medical and lay community with the knowledge necessary to promote long-term health and well-being. Additionally, the regulation and standardization of ECs are crucial for the protection of vulnerable populations against future tobacco use and the development of chronic preventable disease.
Citation
Sood, Amika K., Matthew J. Kesic, and Michelle L. Hernandez. “Electronic Cigarettes: One Size Does Not Fit All.” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 141, no. 6 (June 2018): 1973–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2018.02.029.
