Reacción a "Vaping among young people is associated with higher subsequent consumption of tobacco, marijuana or alcohol"

Although the use of electronic cigarettes is a much more recent behaviour than tobacco consumption, numerous studies have been conducted to assess the health impact of using these devices. Systematic reviews have also been published which, by analysing the results of different individual studies together, provide more robust scientific evidence.

The study just published in Tobacco Control follows the “umbrella review” approach to obtain a synthesis of 56 systematic reviews of the impact of electronic cigarette use on health among young people under 25, which in turn were based on 384 different scientific articles. The results presented by the authors show an association between the use of electronic cigarettes and the development or exacerbation of various health problems such as bronchial asthma and other respiratory conditions, burns and other unintentional injuries, and, most notably, the initiation of tobacco use and other addictive products such as cannabis derivatives and alcoholic beverages. Of particular note is the fact that 21 systematic reviews have shown that young people who use electronic cigarettes are three times more likely to subsequently start smoking tobacco than those who do not use these devices.

Public health policies on tobacco control have among their main objectives the prevention of smoking initiation during adolescence and youth. As e-cigarette use is known to be very common among young people and adolescents, it is very important to understand how it affects their tobacco use and to act accordingly. The available scientific evidence, such as that gathered in this new study, shows that the spread of e-cigarette use among young people and adolescents can lead to an increase in subsequent tobacco use, as well as contributing to various diseases. It is necessary to implement activities to prevent the use of electronic cigarettes among young people, such as the development of communication campaigns based on evidence provided by behavioural sciences, as well as the control of the marketing of devices designed specifically to attract younger consumers, such as disposable electronic cigarettes or those that incorporate certain flavours and designs.