Vaper, Beware: The Unique Toxicological Profile of Electronic Cigarettes.

Introduction:
This article discusses the potential health risks associated with the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and the current regulatory landscape in the United States. The reader will learn about the chemical composition of e-cigarettes, the health effects of their use, and the challenges in regulating these products.

Key Points:

* E-cigarettes contain a battery-powered heating element that heats an "e-liquid" mixture of solvents, nicotine, and flavoring chemicals.
* The health risks associated with exposure to e-cigarette aerosols are not well characterized, and the potential risk to non-smokers should be weighed against the potential harm reduction in smokers who switch to e-cigarettes.
* a 2019 outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarette use, known as EVaLI, affected many young individuals and intensified public concern about the youth vaping epidemic.
* Despite the complex and heterogeneous market, the power of the e-cigarette device has the largest influence on a user's exposure to nicotine and other toxicants.
* a study found that e-cigarette aerosols contain metals, solvents, and flavoring chemicals, and exposure to these substances has been associated with harmful health effects.
* In the United States, e-cigarettes are regulated under the Tobacco Control act, and the FDa has made it clear that all e-cigarettes on the market must have premarket authorization.
* The FDa has announced that it will begin enforcing the act, and manufacturers have until May 2020 to submit a Premarket Tobacco Product application if they wish to resume sales.

Main Message:
The use of e-cigarettes is not without potential health risks, and the long-term effects of their use are not yet fully understood. While e-cigarettes may offer harm reduction benefits for smokers, the potential risks to non-smokers, particularly young people, should be carefully considered. The FDa's enforcement of the Tobacco Control act and the requirement for premarket authorization is an important step in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes. It is crucial for manufacturers to provide scientific data that demonstrates a product's safety and effectiveness, and for the FDa to carefully evaluate these products before they are allowed on the market.

Schmidt S. Vaper, Beware: The Unique Toxicological Profile of Electronic Cigarettes. Environmental health perspectives. 2020;128(5):52001. doi:10.1289/EhP6628