Safety and efficacy of electronic cigarettes: a review.

Tobacco smoking remains the highest cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Electronic cigarettes have recently become popular as nicotine alternatives. With public use on the rise and recent tobacco industry interest, field experts and regulatory agencies voiced concerns about their safety and unregulated production. Electronic cigarettes are safer than conventional cigarettes and at least as safe as other approved nicotine replacement therapies. Further evidence is needed as their popularity increases amidst controversy over safety and efficacy.