Reasons for e-cigarette use and its association with cessation : a systematic review

Abstract

Background: E-cigarettes have gained popularity among adults and adolescents worldwide. The device has been promoted as a smoking cessation aid, but its cessation efficacy remains unclear. Reasons for e-cigarette use varies in youth and adults.

Objective: This project described the reasons for e-cigarette use in youth and adults, and explore the association between e-cigarette use and quit attempts, quit intention, and cessation.

Method: This project used multiple searches for key words to search through electronic sources includes PubMed, Biomed central, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Eventually, total of 21 relevant articles were reviewed in this systematic review.

Results: For adolescents and young adults, top reasons for e-cigarette use include curiosity, peer influence and flavor choice. For adults, e-cigarette use is related to health concerns, cessation needs and curiosity. Findings on the association between e-cigarette use and quitting outcomes are inconsistent.

Conclusion: Further research is warranted to explore the cessation efficacy of e-cigarettes. Marketing claims that e-cigarettes are effective smoking cessation aids should be prohibited until there is convincing scientific evidence.