The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recently released a new report on the consequences of smoking, specifically related to electronic cigarettes. In the report, the Academies discussed the new effects of e-cigarettes as a public health hazard. According to the report, the effects of long-term e-cigarette use are still unknown, especially related to morbidity and mortality.
Traditional tobacco cigarette use has seen a decrease during the past 20 years, but e-cigarette adoption is on the rise. It’s prevalent among younger populations, but the report recognizes the need for more for more research about demographics. The Academies indicated that e-cigarettes appear to pose fewer health risks than combustible cigarettes but are not without their own potential detriments to public health, including the potential to transition younger users to traditional tobacco products.
“The net public health outcome of e-cigarette use depends on the balance between positive and negative consequences,” the Academies wrote. How public health experts and policy leaders translate this information can determine where public funding may be allocated in the future.
Ultimately, the Academies’ report calls for further research and understanding into e-cigarette usage and its potential consequences, especially at the individual and population levels. ONS continues to advocate against the use of any electronic nicotine delivery system.