Impact of e-cigarettes and flavoured vapes on respiratory health: where are we now?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) for delivering nicotine has increased markedly in recent years, raising concerns regarding their long-term safety and their potential to sustain nicotine dependence, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Marketed as safer alternatives to conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes warrant careful evaluation of both their short-term and long-term health risks. RECENT FINDINGS: Evidence from systematic reviews suggests that e-cigarettes may serve as a tool for smoking reduction or cessation; however, available data indicate that usage often represents product switching rather than complete cessation. Given that e-cigarettes are not harmless, the advisability of recommending them as a smoking cessation aid remains controversial. Although long-term outcomes are not fully established, current research suggests that e-cigarettes could be responsible for acute lung injury, exacerbations of respiratory symptoms, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease progression, and various pathophysiological changes associated with cytotoxicity and airway dysfunction. SUMMARY: Considering the accumulating evidence of harm, e-cigarettes should be regulated similarly to conventional tobacco products, with strict restrictions on access for children and adolescents. Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify their long-term health effects and to guide evidence-based public health policies.