Chart Review: Looking At Risks Vs. Rewards In E-Cigarettes

Jackson Hammond, Health Care Policy Analyst

This week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its first authorization of an electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) product, more commonly known as e-cigarettes. While manufacturers argue ENDS products help adults with smoking cessation, there are concerns about the use of these products by young adults and teenagers. The chart below compares two studies: The first study looked at the likelihood of ENDS products enabling smoking cessation in adults; the second study examined the likelihood of ENDS products leading to traditional cigarette use in teenagers. The first study, a meta-analysis, found that adults who used e-cigarettes daily were 1.5 times more likely to quit traditional cigarettes than those who did not use e-cigarettes. The second study, also a meta-analysis, found that teenagers who began nicotine use with e-cigarettes were 2.75 times more likely to transition to traditional cigarettes than those who did not use e-cigarettes. While many questions remain regarding the impact of e-cigarettes on both traditional cigarette uptake and cessation, it is clear more information is needed—and that this remains a hazy policy area with tough choices.

Disclaimer Christopher Holt is the Director of Health Care Policy at the American Action Forum. 

https://www.americanactionforum.org/weekly-checkup/risk-pool-dangers-of-year-round-open-enrollment/#ixzz79iIFq9aI
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