Title:Vaping Versus Smoking: A Quest for Efficacy and Safety of E-cigarette
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Harmeet Singh Rehan*, Jahnavi Maini and Amrit Pal Singh Hungin
Affiliation:Department of Pharmacology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, Department of Pharmacology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, Department of Primary Care and General Practice, Centre of Integrated Health Care Research, School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Health, Durham University, Durham
Keywords:E-cigarette, Electronic nicotine delivery device, NRT, vaping, ECIG, smoking cessation.
Abstract:Background: Electronic Cigarettes (ECIGs) are devices with a heating element which
produces aerosol for inhalation. They have been propagated as a healthier alternative to tobacco
smoking and a potential device for smoking cessation, despite non-documentation of their long-term
adverse health effects.
Objectives: With the glorification of ECIG, its use has increased even among non-tobacco users. This
makes it critical to understand and discuss a true picture of safety and utility of ECIGs by reviewing the
literature.
Methods: Literature search for narrative review was done on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science
databases using the keywords viz electronic cigarette, e-cigarette, electronic nicotine delivery systems,
NRT, vaping and electronic nicotine delivery device. The review was sub-categorized into four themes
(potential role in smoking cessation, chemicals in the smoke of traditional cigarette and ECIGs,
pharmacology of nicotine delivery via ECIG and current regulatory status across the globe).
Results: Search revealed a total of 40 articles out of which 29 were included in the review. ECIGs
achieved modest cessation rates with benefits of behavioral and sensory gratification. On the contrary,
in many studies where ECIGs were introduced as an intervention, participants continued to use them to
maintain their habit instead of quitting. A total of 22 toxic substances apart from nicotine were reported in
liquid of ECIG cartridges and its emissions. Many compounds had lower concentrations in ECIG
compared to tobacco smoke. There existed a wide variation in the content of ECIG cartridges and
strengths of nicotine in refill solutions. It has been observed that the second generation ECIGs delivered
nicotine with a similar kinetic profile as conventional cigarettes. In 2013, US FDA gave market
authorization to ECIG as substitutes for quitting smoking and cigarette substitutes. The United Kingdom
also advocates ECIGs as a medicinal quit aid but bans it from workplaces and other public spaces. India
along with many other countries still need to come up with a formal regulatory stand regarding ECIGs.
Conclusion: There is a need to conduct large long-term global clinical trials in real life settings to
ascertain the potential uses, adverse effects of ECIG and achieve harmonization of nicotine solution
concentration.
