Tobacco-free electronic cigarettes and cigars deliver nicotine and generate concern: Figure 1

Acute impact of active and passive electronic cigarette smoking on serum cotinine and lung function

“…One of the most popular products in the market is the electronic cigarette (ecigarette), a battery-powered device that simulates tobacco cigarettes by vaporizing nicotine and other chemicals into an inhalable vapor. The available data suggest that sales of e-cigarettes are increasing (Pauly et al, 2007), while Google searches for ''electronic cigarettes'' have increased by 5000% over the past 2 years (Yamin et al, 2010). This technology became popular despite the concerns expressed by the World Health Organization, the US Food and Drug Administration and a number of Health Ministries worldwide (World Health Organisation, 2010) about the lack of research on their safety and efficacy (Etter et al, 2011;Flouris & Oikonomou, 2010).…”

Self-reported smoking effects and comparative value between cigarettes and high dose e-cigarettes in nicotine-dependent cigarette smokers

“…Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been marketed as devices capable of reducing the primary and second hand toxic effects of cigarette smoking and helping nicotinedependent smokers overcome addiction (Pauly et al, 2007;Benowitz, 2014;Camenga et al, 2014;Etter and Bullen, 2014;Goniewicz et al, 2014). The claim by manufacturers that the e-cigarette can be used as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking or as an effective means of smoking cessation have yet to be fully evaluated (Wollscheid and Kremzner, 2009;Etter and Bullen, 2014;Goniewicz et al, 2014).…”

Cytotoxicity evaluation of electronic cigarette vapor extract on cultured mammalian fibroblasts (ClearStream-LIFE): comparison with tobacco cigarette smoke extract

“…Electronic nicotine-delivery devices, commonly called electronic cigarettes (ECs), were invented in China and have been recently introduced to the market worldwide (Henningfield & Zaatari, 2010;Pauly et al, 2007) as an alternative and potentially safer habit. They consist of a battery-part, a cartridge containing liquid and an electrical resistance that gets warm by activation of the battery and evaporates the liquid.…”