27/09/2019

Electronic cigarettes have become the most popular new tobacco products over the last decade. This has prompted a debate regarding their safety, especially considering the assumption by the lay public that these electronic systems are harmles or less harmful than conventional cigarettes. In fact, physicians do not agree in their recommendations to patients regarding the use of electronic cigarettes.

Given that smoking is a leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality due to neoplastic, respiratory and vascular diseases, the FDA has extended its tobacco regulatory power to include electronic cigarettes.

Research efforts studying potential risks of electronic cigarettes are only beginning to emerge. This type of cigarettes would not only lead to potential respiratory toxicities, but also their addictive properties and the neurocognitive effects of nicotine itsellf, as well as second hand smoke exposure due to electronic cigarettes should be considered for analysis.

With regards to pulmonary effects, airway inflammation, infections, increased mucus secretion, epithelial barrier defects and oxidative stress are all features of asthma and COPD. Triggering of these same biological effects by electronic cigarettes use have been observed in some in vitro and in vivo models, which suggests that frequent exposures to nicotine electronic cigarettes potentially induce airway inflammatory disease processes. This is a vital area to be elucidated in human models. Hence, further research and information will allow for individualized remommendations of electronic cigarette use and guidance for regulatory measures.

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