health effects of e-cigarettes and their use for smoking cessation from a vascular perspective.

Introduction:
This document provides an evidence-based overview of the health risks and benefits associated with e-cigarette use from a vascular medicine perspective. It is a position statement of the German Society of Vascular Medicine, endorsed by the European Society of Vascular Medicine. The text covers the health risks of e-cigarettes, their use for smoking cessation, and the comparison of e-cigarettes with conventional cigarettes. It also discusses the impact of e-cigarette use on cardiovascular health.

Key Points:

* E-cigarettes contain various substances, including propylene glycol, glycerin, flavors, and nicotine, and can release carcinogenic toxins and metals during the heating process.
* The long-term health risks and consequences of e-cigarette use are not fully understood, but experimental data suggest an increased risk of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.
* E-cigarette use leads to pathological changes in the vascular system and is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
* E-cigarettes are probably less harmful than conventional cigarettes, but they are not risk-free, especially for people who have never smoked.
* The dual consumption of e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes increases the health risk.
* The effectiveness of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation remains unclear, and their long-term benefits are not well-established.
* Scientifically approved methods for smoking cessation, such as behavioral therapy, nicotine replacement therapy, and addiction-inhibiting substances, should be used as the first step.
* E-cigarettes could be a possible alternative for selected people if permanent nicotine abstinence cannot be achieved otherwise, but their use should be time-restricted and not in parallel with conventional cigarettes.

Main Message:
The use of e-cigarettes is a complex issue with potential health risks and benefits. While e-cigarettes are probably less harmful than conventional cigarettes, they are not risk-free and can lead to pathological changes in the vascular system. The long-term health effects of e-cigarette use are still not fully understood, and their effectiveness for smoking cessation remains unclear. Therefore, scientifically approved methods for smoking cessation should be used as the first step, and e-cigarettes should only be considered as an alternative for selected people who cannot achieve permanent nicotine abstinence otherwise. If utilized, e-cigarette use should be time-restricted and not in parallel with conventional cigarettes.

Krabbe B, Espinola-Klein C, Malyar N, et al. health effects of e-cigarettes and their use for smoking cessation from a vascular perspective. VaSa Zeitschrift fur Gefasskrankheiten. 2023;52(2):81-85. doi:10.1024/0301-1526/a001056