Kathryn Hefner1,2, Gerald Valentine1,2, Mehmet Sofuoglu1,2. 1. Veterans Health Administration Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), West Haven, Connecticut. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adults with mental illness (MI) use combustible tobacco at increased rates and have greater difficulty quitting smoking. Given the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), their use by those with MI has important health implications. While preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits of e-cigarette use for those with MI, well-controlled, systematic research examining appeal, correlates, and consequences of e-cigarette use in this vulnerable population is lacking. This review evaluated current knowledge of e-cigarette use and potential for help and/or harm among adults with MI. METHODS: The search strategy resulted in k = 88 reports, of which k = 9 were deemed relevant. RESULTS: E-cigarette use is prevalent among those with MI, as is concurrent use of e-cigarettes and combustibles. E-cigarettes appeal to those with MI as a viable alternative to combustible tobacco, and their use does not appear to exacerbate nicotine addiction or psychiatric symptoms. However, the long-term impact of e-cigarette use on combustible tobacco use and other health indices is largely unknown. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Rigorous research and improved knowledge regarding risks and benefits of e-cigarette use within this vulnerable population are needed to inform whether special consideration is warranted towards those with MI in developing tobacco control policies and health communications. Recommendations for future e-cigarette research include improved assessment of the following: 1) psychodiagnostic variability, 2) flavor preferences, 3) the longitudinal impact on combustible tobacco use, and 4) impact of tobacco product communications. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: As with combustible cigarettes, individuals with MI may display unique e-cigarette use patterns from that of the general population. (Am J Addict 2017;26:306-315). Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adults with mental illness (MI) use combustible tobacco at increased rates and have greater difficulty quitting smoking. Given the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), their use by those with MI has important health implications. While preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits of e-cigarette use for those with MI, well-controlled, systematic research examining appeal, correlates, and consequences of e-cigarette use in this vulnerable population is lacking. This review evaluated current knowledge of e-cigarette use and potential for help and/or harm among adults with MI. METHODS: The search strategy resulted in k = 88 reports, of which k = 9 were deemed relevant. RESULTS: E-cigarette use is prevalent among those with MI, as is concurrent use of e-cigarettes and combustibles. E-cigarettes appeal to those with MI as a viable alternative to combustible tobacco, and their use does not appear to exacerbate nicotineaddiction or psychiatric symptoms. However, the long-term impact of e-cigarette use on combustible tobacco use and other health indices is largely unknown. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Rigorous research and improved knowledge regarding risks and benefits of e-cigarette use within this vulnerable population are needed to inform whether special consideration is warranted towards those with MI in developing tobacco control policies and health communications. Recommendations for future e-cigarette research include improved assessment of the following: 1) psychodiagnostic variability, 2) flavor preferences, 3) the longitudinal impact on combustible tobacco use, and 4) impact of tobacco product communications. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: As with combustible cigarettes, individuals with MI may display unique e-cigarette use patterns from that of the general population. (Am J Addict 2017;26:306-315). Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Authors: Claire Adams Spears; Dina M Jones; Scott R Weaver; Bo Yang; Terry F Pechacek; Michael P Eriksen Journal: Addiction Date: 2018-11-05 Impact factor: 6.526
Authors: Claire Adams Spears; Dina M Jones; Scott R Weaver; Bo Yang; Terry F Pechacek; Michael P Eriksen Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2020-05-13 Impact factor: 4.492