Health risk factors associated with use of electronic cigarettes (Analytical review)

The article examines health risks associated with use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) and the spread of EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury).

The study aims to systematically analyze and comprehensively assess medical-biological, socio-behavioral, and envi-ronmental risks associated with e-cigarette use given their rapidly growing popularity across diverse population groups evidenced by surging sales. Special attention is paid to dynamics of the electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) market in Russia, which reached 170 billion RUB in 2023 (+18.7 %), with the share of retail outlets increasing from 7 % (2021) to 35 % amid a decline in traditional smoking.

To achieve the goal, we analyzed 63 scientific publications (41 international and 12 Russian) from PubMed, MEDLINE, eLIBRARY, and CyberLeninka. Publications were selected using PICO criteria: Population (P) — e-cigarette users, including adolescents and young adults; Intervention (I) — regular vaping; Comparator (C) — traditional smoking or non-smoking; Outcomes (O) — development of EVALI, nicotine dependence levels, cognitive impairments, and environmental impacts of device disposal.

The study revealed that rising popularity of e-cigarettes (vaping) among youth correlates with social factors (peer influence, stress, and fashion trends), misconceptions about e-cigarette safety, and aggressive marketing targeting adolescents. A direct link between vaping and EVALI was emphasized. Special attention was paid to environmental risks, including improper disposal of devices containing lithium-ion batteries, plastics, and heavy metals.

Despite anti-smoking campaigns, vaping prevalence continues to grow, particularly among youth. Emerging evidence on EVALI raise an obvious concern about adverse health effects of vaping and this requires a comprehensive approach to evaluating health impacts of e-cigarettes. Priorities include studying EVALI epidemiology, disease manifestations across populations, long-term health effects, and developing strategies for early diagnosis, treatment, and enhanced smoking prevention programs.