Helpful Insights forPatients and Caregivers

What You Need to Know About E-cigarettes

Key Reminders

  • E-cigarettes can contain the addictive substance nicotine. Because of this, many individuals may become hooked on e-cigarettes and expose themselves to potential health risks.
  • Research is ongoing to discover the long-term risks of e-cigarettes. However, it is known that some of the chemicals inhaled can cause damage to the body.
  • The FDA has not approved the use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. However, other products including nicotine replacement therapies and prescription medications are FDA approved to help individuals quit smoking.

Resources

References

  1. Sanford Z, Goebel L. E-cigarettes: an up to date review and discussion of the controversy. West Virginia Medical Journal. 2014 Jul/Aug (Special CME Issue);110(4):10-15.
  2. Electronic Cigarettes (E-cigarettes). NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse: Advancing Addiction Science. Electronic Cigarettes (E-cigarettes). Published June 2017. https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/tobacconicotine-vaping. Accessed March 9, 2021.
  3. E-cigarettes and Lung Health. American Lung Association. http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/e-cigarettes-and-lung-health.html. Updated December 8, 2016. Accessed March 8, 2021.
  4. Want to Quit Smoking? FDA-Approved Products Can Help. U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page. https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm198176.htm. Updated December 11, 2017. Accessed March 8, 2021.
  5. E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Office of the Surgeon General; 2016.
  6. Know the Risks of E-cigarettes for Young People | Know the Risks: E-cigarettes & Young People | U.S. Surgeon General's Report. Know the Risks: E-Cigarettes and Young People | U.S. Surgeon General's Report. https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/. Accessed March 8, 2021.
  7. Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions in the United States 2009 – 2016. U.S. Fire Administration. July 2017. Available at: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/electronic_cigarettes.pdf. Accessed March 8, 2021.
  8. Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with E-cigarette Use, or Vaping. CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published February 25, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/severe-lung-disease.html. Accessed March 8, 2021.