Abstract
Objective. The aim of this review was to investigate whether e-cigarette use compared to non-use in young non-smokers is associated with subsequent cigarette smoking.
Data sources. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wiley Cochrane Library databases, and the 2018 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco and Society for Behavioural Medicine conference abstracts.
Study selection. All studies of young people (up to age 30 years) with a measure of e-cigarette use prior to smoking and an outcome measure of smoking where an odds ratio could be calculated were included (excluding reviews and animal studies).
Data Extraction. Independent extraction was completed by multiple authors using a pre-prepared extraction form.
Data synthesis.
Of 9,199 results, 17 studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was strong evidence for an association between e-cigarette use among non-smokers and later smoking (OR 4.59, 95% CI 3.60 to 5.85) when the results were meta-analysed in a random effects model. However, there was high heterogeneity (I2 = 88%).
Conclusions. Whilst the association between e-cigarette use among non-smokers and subsequent smoking appears strong, the available evidence is limited by the reliance on self-report measures of smoking history without biochemical verification. None of the studies included negative controls which would provide stronger evidence for whether the association may be causal. Much of the evidence also failed to consider the nicotine content of e-liquids used by non-smokers meaning it is difficult to make conclusions about whether nicotine is the mechanism driving this association.
Data sources. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wiley Cochrane Library databases, and the 2018 Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco and Society for Behavioural Medicine conference abstracts.
Study selection. All studies of young people (up to age 30 years) with a measure of e-cigarette use prior to smoking and an outcome measure of smoking where an odds ratio could be calculated were included (excluding reviews and animal studies).
Data Extraction. Independent extraction was completed by multiple authors using a pre-prepared extraction form.
Data synthesis.
Of 9,199 results, 17 studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was strong evidence for an association between e-cigarette use among non-smokers and later smoking (OR 4.59, 95% CI 3.60 to 5.85) when the results were meta-analysed in a random effects model. However, there was high heterogeneity (I2 = 88%).
Conclusions. Whilst the association between e-cigarette use among non-smokers and subsequent smoking appears strong, the available evidence is limited by the reliance on self-report measures of smoking history without biochemical verification. None of the studies included negative controls which would provide stronger evidence for whether the association may be causal. Much of the evidence also failed to consider the nicotine content of e-liquids used by non-smokers meaning it is difficult to make conclusions about whether nicotine is the mechanism driving this association.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Tobacco Control |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Mar 2020 |
Research Groups and Themes
- Bristol Population Health Science Institute
- Physical and Mental Health
- Tobacco and Alcohol
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This is the final published version of the article (version of record). It first appeared online via BMJ at https://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/early/2020/03/01/tobaccocontrol-2019-055433. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
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Professor Marcus R Munafo
- School of Psychological Science - Professor of Biological Psychology and MRC Investigator
- Senior Team - Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor - Research Culture
- Bristol Population Health Science Institute
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit
- Bristol Neuroscience
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