Alert on Electronic Cigarettes: Fresh Scientific Statement Reveals Rising Health Concerns

A recently issued scientific declaration from the American Heart Association underscores the health hazards related to the usage of electronic cigarettes, focusing on potential cardiac and pulmonary complications. The statement urges more comprehensive studies to investigate long-term health outcomes. It also addresses the concerning uptick in the usage of e-cigarettes, particularly among young people, while questioning the lack of concrete evidence that suggests these products are effective in aiding smoking cessation.

The new declaration from the American Heart Association offers a summarized review of current research on health risks associated with e-cigarette usage and calls for expanded investigation into its long-term implications.

Emerging research continues to reveal health risks connected to electronic cigarette consumption, necessitating additional inquiries into potential lasting impacts on cardiac and pulmonary health, according to the newly issued scientific statement published in the academic journal Circulation.

This recent statement enumerates the latest findings and trends related to usage, identifies ongoing health effects, reviews existing primary and clinical scientific data concerning e-cigarettes, and sets forth areas of research that should be prioritized to gain further understanding of both short-term and long-term health consequences.

Electronic cigarettes, or vaping devices, are battery-powered mechanisms that heat a liquid substance to generate an aerosol inhaled into the lungs. Most liquid formulations contain nicotine, a substance known for its adverse health impacts and potent addictive qualities. These devices can also include other compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), methamphetamine, methadone, and vitamins, in addition to solvents and flavoring agents.

Jason J. Rose, M.D., M.B.A., chair of the statement’s writing committee and associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, stated that e-cigarettes introduce several potentially harmful substances into the body, including unknown chemicals. Research indicates that nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are linked with acute alterations in hemodynamic measures like elevated blood pressure and heart rate. Additionally, research has shown that even without nicotine, certain e-cigarette ingredients carry independent health risks.

The significance of the clinical diagnosis “E-cigarette, or Vaping, product use Associated Lung Injury” (EVALI) is also discussed. This condition, identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2019, resulted in approximately 2,800 hospitalizations within a year among e-cigarette users, underscoring the unknown risks of these products. Vitamin E acetate is cited as a likely causative ingredient in EVALI cases.

Studies concerning the impact of e-cigarettes on cardiovascular events are scarce and often include participants who are also traditional cigarette smokers. The committee emphasizes the need for long-term studies across all age groups, including individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

Research indicates a surge in e-cigarette usage since 2010, predominantly among existing or former traditional smokers. By 2016, roughly 1.2 million adults in the U.S. who had never smoked were using e-cigarettes. The statement also reveals that e-cigarettes are the most commonly used tobacco product among youth, making it essential to evaluate the health impacts on this demographic.

Jason Rose further mentioned that the long-term health risks associated with e-cigarettes remain unknown, particularly among youth who may subsequently use other tobacco products or develop substance use disorders.

The writing committee assessed limited studies that evaluated e-cigarettes as smoking cessation tools. The potential benefits of using e-cigarettes to quit smoking need to be carefully weighed against known and unknown health risks, including dependency.

The American Heart Association does not recommend e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, as mentioned by Rose Marie Robertson, M.D., FAHA, the Association’s deputy chief science and medical officer. She stressed that these products are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this purpose, and other approved methods should be considered.

The statement concludes by emphasizing the critical need for further research, specifically targeting the long-term effects of e-cigarettes on cardiac, vascular, and pulmonary health, among other areas.

Reference: “Cardiopulmonary Impact of Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Products: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association,” authored by Jason J. Rose and colleagues, was published on July 17, 2023, in the journal Circulation. DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001160.

This scientific statement was produced by a volunteer group representing several councils within the American Heart Association. These statements are aimed at fostering increased awareness about cardiovascular diseases and guiding informed healthcare choices. While they summarize existing knowledge on a subject, they do not provide treatment recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about e-cigarette health risks

More about e-cigarette health risks

• American Heart Association’s Scientific Statement on E-cigarettes
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on EVALI
• FDA Regulation of E-cigarettes
• Research on E-cigarettes and Youth Usage
• Nicotine Replacement Therapy Guidelines
• E-cigarette Ingredients and Chemical Components
• Studies on E-cigarettes and Heart Health
• Overview of Tobacco Cessation Methods Approved by FDA