Online Program

295588
E-cigarettes: The vapor this time


Monday, November 4, 2013 : 10:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

Phillip Gardiner, DrPH, Tobacco Related Disease Research Program, University of California Office of the President, Oakland, CA
E-cigarettes have exploded on to the scene with millions of novice users, mainly existing smokers, many purporting the safety, efficacy and cessation potential of these items. However, while research is growing, still there is a paucity of studies looking at the spectrum of issues surrounding e-cigarettes. Moreover, recent longitudinal studies on e-cigarettes as a cessation aid have found either no effect or that after follow-up people were still smoking regular cigarettes.

The public health community needs a thorough review and appraisal of the existing literature on the subject of e-cigarettes. A better informed public health community is a better prepared public health community. From whence e-cigarettes? Who are using these devices? What do we currently know about the vapor emitted and inhaled from this objects? What is the harm reduction potential of e-cigarettes? Now that the tobacco industry has stepped in and begun to produce and market these items, what does this mean for the tobacco control movement? Will public use of these devises erode the decade's long work to de-normalize smoking? And how should e-cigarettes be regulated?

This presentation will begin to address the many thorny issues cited above. Only by confronting the issue of e-cigarettes head on can we begin to get a handle on what we are dealing with and what we need to do about it.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the growth and adoption of e-cigarettes, including the entrance of the tobacco industry into this market Describe the published literature on the contents of e-cigarette liquid, inhaled vapors, second hand vapor’s volatile organic compound chemical compositions and concentrations; potential impact on health Assess the published literature on e-Cigarettes as a smoking cessation alternative; what’s the evidence? Are e-cigarettes a harm reduction tool?

Keyword(s): Tobacco, Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Research Administrator for Social Behavioral Sciences, Nicotine Dependence & Policy Research at the University of California’s Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP). TRDRP is a statewide program housed in the Office of Research and Graduate Studies within the University of California’s Office of the President. My training is in survey research and evaluation, and I have written numerous articles on health disparities and African Americans menthol cigarette use.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.