Updating on electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes
Symposium Chairs: Francesco Blasi (Milano, Italy), Bo Lundback (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Aims: To update evidence on prevalence and characteristics of e-cigarette experimenters and users; their reasons to consume these products; as well as the awareness, perceived harmfulness and beliefs and attitudes on e-cig. To update evidence and discuss whether the use of electronic cigarettes in smokers is associated with smoking cessation attempts, cessation and reduced cigarette consumption; to update and review evidence on health effects of e-cigarettes: animal studies and experimental laboratory studies regarding acute effects on humans; and case reports of intoxication and respiratory disease; to discuss the challenging issues regarding conducting research on the long term exposures and potential human health effects of the use of e-cigarettes while the duration of exposure is a major determinant of health hazards; To discuss the harm reduction perspective and the public health impact on e-cigarette use.