The Future of e-Cigarette Health Warnings
A partir d'une revue systématique de la littérature publiée jusqu'en février 2024 (24 études, 22 549 participants ; âge moyen : 28 ans ; 53,9 % de femmes), cette étude évalue l'effet, sur les attitudes et croyances vis-à-vis des dangers de la cigarette électronique, d'avertissements sanitaires textuels
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes, or vapes) are generally considered to be less harmful than cigarettes, and they may help certain smokers quit. However, concerns persist regarding their potential risks to human health and the environment. For example, e-cigarette products contain harmful substances, including nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, flavorings, carcinogens (eg, aldehydes), heavy metals (eg, lead), and chemicals (eg, diacetyl). Exposure to these substances has been associated with serious health effects, including toxic effects, carcinogenicity, DNA damage, lung injury, periodontal disease, and cardiovascular complications. Despite these risks, a substantial portion of the public remains unaware of the full spectrum of e-cigarette–related health consequences, particularly among youths and nonsmokers, underscoring the need for effective risk communication. One widely accepted and cost-effective risk communication tool is health warning labels (HWLs), which have demonstrated success in tobacco control. As of March 10, 2025, 51 countries, including the US, have implemented text-only HWLs on e-cigarette packaging. Nevertheless, their effectiveness varies, underscoring the need for stronger, evidence-based strategies to improve public awareness and influence behavior. Recent research has begun to evaluate the impact of these warnings, providing valuable insights into their effectiveness and areas for improvement.
JAMA Internal Medicine , éditorial, 2025