In the editorial part of the report, author Jennifer B. Unger wrote, “In this current era of scientific uncertainty, it is not surprising that the general public is confused, uninformed, or misinformed about e-cigarettes. Most U.S. adults do not know whether e-cigarettes contain toxic chemicals, are regulated for safety, and/or are regulated as cessation aids… E-cigarettes have generated new debates and controversies, as well as a wealth of innovative research. Our next challenge will be to help the general public and legislators understand the science as it develops so they can take appropriate action.”
The debate about e-cigarettes is ongoing, with a wide variety of recent reports about topics from e-cigarettes as a means to quit regular tobacco, to e-cigarettes as a tool that lures teenagers into smoking tobacco. There is still much unknown about e-cigarettes, and so many reports and findings continue to emerge in order to clarify what e-cigarettes (also sometimes referred to as vapes) are really about.
Some highlighted facts from the release include:
- Currently only three states have included the use of e-cigarettes in their smoke-free policies.
- Young people in the study perceive e-cigarettes as a means of smoking cessation, but they do not actually perceive them as a means to quit smoking, revealing that marketing tactics are distrustful.
- Flavors don’t have a large impact on encouraging nonsmoking teens to begin smoking e-cigarettes.
- Between 2012 and 2013 e-cigarette sales rose 132.5 percent across all markets.
- Common reasons to use e-cigarettes include: quitting smoking (58.4 percent), reducing smoking (57.9 percent) and reducing smoking-related health side effects (51.9 percent).
- Prior quitting attempts were higher among e-cigarette users (82.8 percent) than nonusers (74 percent).
- A chemical review of common e-cigarettes revealed nicotine levels are lower than what is stated on the label.
If you are trying to quit smoking, e-cigarettes may not be the right option. It’s best to speak with your doctor and find out another way to tackle smoking cessation.
Although we continue to learn more about e-cigarettes through research reviews and new findings, there doesn’t seem to be a slow-down in their popularity.
Also read: E-cigarettes potentially just as addictive as tobacco version