New Delhi:
Nowadays, e-cigarettes are gaining popularity and there has been a push to understand whether or not they are a 'gateway' to cigarette smoking.
E-cigarettes may prove harmful for public health and also ultimately increase the burden of cancer if there is more cigarette smoking among youth due to use of e-cigarettes. The study was conducted by Samir, Soneji and James Sargent which explains that this potential harm should be taken seriously.
The important question that was focused upon in the study was whether use of e-cigarette increases the risk of future cigarette smoking among adolescents? A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies was conducted by the team. The study was conducted upon non-smokers and they were asked whether initial use of e-cigarettes increased the risk of their subsequent transition to smoking cigarettes.
According to the results, there was greater risk between initial e-cigarette use and subsequent switching to smoking cigarettes, regardless of the fact thatm how initiation was defined and other fadctors that predict cigarette smoking.
"The finding is very consistent across studies. That along with the strength of the association makes it probable that e-cigarette use is one cause of cigarette smoking," said Sargent. "E-cigarette use could affect population trends in youth smoking if use becomes more common, and that is the big public health concern."
Until more effective regulatory actions are taken, the team will continue to evaluate the excess risk posed by e-cigarette use for cigarette smoking with newer generations of e-cigarettes.
