

E-cigarette studies, research and reports

Throughout this web site I've mentioned a number of studies, presentations, commentary from health professionals, special reports and various research carried out on e-cigarettes and vaping.

These pages feature a summary of all the research mentioned and some additional sources, brief descriptions of the reports and links to the actual study papers and statements.

Please note: I've started to list the research chronologically (i.e research/commentary publish date), so if you haven't visited this page for some time, you may find ecig studies you haven't seen in listings further down the page as I add items as I become aware of them.

Given the flood of research and studies now occurring, I've also split the pages up - this page features items from 2014 and a link to previous years is at the end the page.

2016

Ecig Usage Boosting Quitting Numbers In England

Researchers from University College London estimate that use of e-cigarettes produced 16,000 to 22,000 additional long-term quitters (longer than a year) in England in 2014. Use of ecigarettes appears to boost the chances of quitting by around 50% compared to traditional NRTs. Published March 2016.

Hong Kong Eliquid Study Challenged

A Hong Kong Baptist University study claiming e-cigarette eliquid is “a million times” more harmful than outdoor air has been challenged by Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos, stating it was a "complete disgrace for the scientist, the department and the university". Published February 2016.

Improvements Observed When Asthmatics Switch To Vaping

Asthmatic smokers making the switch to electronic cigarettes on the advice of their doctors showed significant improvements in lung function after a year and in asthma-related quality of life. Published February 2016.

Vaping And Formaldehyde

E-cigarettes may not generate as much formaldehyde as previously believed, and the levels tend to be lower than tobacco cigarettes. Published February 2016.

Vaping And Blood Pressure

A new study states smokers who reduce or quit smoking by switching to e-cigarettes may lower their systolic blood pressure in the long term, and this reduction is apparent in smokers with elevated blood pressure. Published February 2016.

Electronic Cigarettes And Smoking Reduction In Young Adults

A diverse young adult sample of current daily smokers not yet ready to quit were able to reduce smoking with the assistance of electronic cigarettes. Published January 2016

2015

Ecigarette Use Again Linked To Smoking Cessation

This study states those who have recently quit smoking tobacco are four times more likely to be daily users of e-cigarettes than current cigarette smokers. Published November 2015.

Ecig Ban Boosts Youth Smoking

A Yale School of Public Health study has found state bans on e-cigarette sales to minors has resulted in a 0.9 percentage point increase in rates of recent conventional cigarette use by 12 to 17 year olds. Where bans exist, they appear to have slowed decline in youth uptake of tobacco cigarettes by about 70 percent. The study author suggests to reduce teenage smoking, bans should be limited to those under 16, rather than under 18. Published October 2015.

Electronic Cigarette Use Among Adults: United States (PDF)

About 3.7% of adults used e-cigarettes every day or some days in 2014, according to a US National Health Interview Survey. Published October 2015.

Second-Hand Vaping Myth Debunked (Again)

Comments from Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos on a new study that found e-cigarette aerosol contains less volatile compounds than normal exhaled breath. Published September 2015.

E-cigarettes: An Evidence Update (PDF)

E-cigarettes are 95% less harmful to your health than normal cigarettes according to a new report from Public Heath England. When supported by a smoking cessation service, vaping can help most smokers to quit tobacco altogether. Published August 2015

RSPH Recommends "Ecigarette Friendly" Smoking Cessation Services (PDF)

In a new position statement, the Royal Society For Public Health has called on the UK's health commissioners and smoking cessation services to consider trailing an 'e-cigarette friendly' approach and examine the devices' potential for smoking cessation. It has also called for the mandatory sale of non-tobacco NCPs, including vaping devices, in all outlets selling combustible tobacco products. Published August 2015.

E-Cigarettes and Smoking Cessation: Evidence from a Systematic Review

Research from Australian Catholic University (ACU) and the University of Melbourne indicates the use of e-cigarettes is associated with smoking cessation and reduction. Published April 2015.

Ecig Study 'Junk Science'

A new study published the American Journal of Public Health that claims to have found evidence smokers who use e-cigarettes are significantly less likely to quit smoking than those who do not has been branded junk science by Dr. Michael Seigel. Dr Seigel goes as far as to say its conclusions are completely invalid the study description "borders on being deceitful". Published April 2015.

E-Cigarette Vapor Vs Cigarette Smoke And Primary Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells

This study found if the toxicity of e-cigarette vapor and cigarette mainstream smoke is compared on basis of the same smoking parameters as well as the same number of puffs, the cell viability is about 4.5–5 times lower and the oxidative stress levels 4.5–5 times higher in combustible cigarettes. Published April 2015. (NOTE: Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos offered some comments concerning this study).

Gateway Myth Debunked (Again)

A survey carried out by Action On Smoking And Health (ASH) Wales; found of 952 young people aged 13-18 living in Wales, just 9.4% of non-smokers had tried an ecigarette and only 0.16% percent (n=1) were using them regularly. Of those who reported using both ecigarettes and tobacco cigarettes at some point, 98% had first used tobacco, suggesting the absence of any gateway theory. Published April 2015.

Eliquids Tested Safer Than Tobacco Cigarettes

A new study led by cardiologist Dr. Konstantinos E. Farsalinos verifies twenty-one samples (10 conventional and 11 NET) of tobacco flavoured e-cigarette eliquids are orders of magnitude safer than tobacco cigarettes. Published March 2015.

First Vs. New Generation Vaping Devices : Nicotine Absorption

According to a study led by Dr. Konstantinos E. Farsalinos, the vaping devices and liquid used in in this research delivered one-third to one-fourth the amount of nicotine after 5 minutes of use compared to tobacco cigarettes - and the new generation of devices significantly outperformed first generation ecigs. Published February 2015.

Ecigarettes Save Lives

Derek Yach previously headed tobacco control at the WHO. He says he understands why anti-smoking activists are so distrustful of vaping and is one of those activists. However, he also acknowledges that the evidence is clear - ecigarettes are saving lives. He states everyone involved with tobacco control needs make up for 50 years of ignoring the simple reality - that smoking kills and nicotine does not. Published February 2015.

Ecigarettes, Vaping And Public Health (PDF)

A summary for policy makers by Clive Bates, former Director of Action on Smoking and Health (London). Mr. Bates was also the founder of the NGO Framework Convention Alliance, set up to support the development of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Published February 2015.

Australian Vapers' Perspectives On Regulation

A survey of vapers in Australia found views generally align with some aspects of appropriate policy but conflict with some of the proposed regulatory models. Published Jaunary 2015.

Vaping And Formaldehyde Study Questioned

The validity of a recent study showing high voltage vaping creating formaldehyde, a carcinogen, has been questioned by Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos, who says there are many major issues in the way the research was carried out and the results presented. Published January 2015.



added note: a Reuters article on the same study reports one of the lead authors stated the study could have contained more context about overall relative risk, but the authors "just wanted to get it out."

More studies and research - 2014 : prior to 2014