Patterns of E-cigarette Use and Subsequent Cigarette Smoking Cessation Over 2 Years (2013/2014-2015/2016) in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study.

Introduction:
This summary will provide an overview of a research article examining the impact of e-cigarette use on subsequent cigarette smoking among youth and young adults (YAs). The article presents a qualitative synthesis of study designs and results from a systematic review of the literature. The review includes studies published prior to February 2016 and assesses the quality of relevant studies while evaluating the strength of existing evidence.

Key Points:

* The review identified 26 studies that met the inclusion criteria, including 10 studies with samples of youth or YAs who were never smokers at baseline, 5 studies with samples of smokers and never smokers at baseline, 5 studies with samples of smokers and never smokers analyzed together, and 6 studies with a sample of only smokers.
* Among never smokers, the studies suggest that e-cigarette use is associated with the future (6 months to 2.5 years) cigarette trial. However, firm conclusions cannot be drawn due to limitations such as small sample size, measurement of experimental use, and inadequate controls for potentially confounding variables.
* Among smokers, the studies are limited in number and have additional limitations, making it difficult to draw conclusions about the impact of e-cigarette use on cigarette smoking.
* The review highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of the literature to inform policy makers, consumers, and future research on e-cigarette use among youth and YAs.

Main Message:
The main message of the article is that while studies suggest a relationship between e-cigarette use and subsequent cigarette smoking among never smokers, the evidence is not conclusive due to various limitations. Therefore, it is essential to address these limitations and conduct further research to inform policy-making and public health interventions. The review also emphasizes the need to consider the role of appeal and accessibility of e-cigarettes in shaping product use among youth and YAs. Overall, the article underscores the importance of a nuanced understanding of e-cigarette use and its potential impact on cigarette smoking among young people.

Glasser AM, Vojjala M, Cantrell J, et al. Patterns of E-cigarette Use and Subsequent Cigarette Smoking Cessation Over 2 Years (2013/2014-2015/2016) in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. 2021;23(4):669-677. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntaa182