Consumo do cigarro eletrónico em contexto laboral: proibir, tolerar ou incentivar?

The legislation regarding smoking caused smokers to smoke less or some even tried to became non-smoker. Because of this, the tobacco companies were more motivated to explore other ways of consuming nicotine. Among all the methods available, the electronic cigarette is considered the most pleasant. Furthermore, most smokers want to quit smoking or at least reduce consumption. Methodology A survey was done in June 2016 in the databases “CINALH plus with full text, Medline with full text, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Methodology Register, Nursing and Allied Health Collection: comprehensive, MedicLatina and Academic Search Complete”. Using the key words “electronic cigarette” and “e-cigarette” were obtained 248 and 287 articles, respectively, with the publication criteria greater than or equal to 2009 and access to full text; depending on the original language (Portuguese, English or Spanish) and their relevance to the purpose of this review, we selected 64 articles. Content With increasing frequency, smokers question the health professionals about electronic cigarette; some because they already consume, others because they are thinking on doing so, including in the work environment. We must therefore be aware of the findings of studies already done on the subject. Conclusions It is considered that the advertising is misleading: the act is not absent from risks, nor is proved by robust studies to contribute for the cessation of nicotine consumption. However, at the same time, it also seems clear that the chemicals involved are fewer and present in lower concentration than the conventional cigaretteso it seems to be a less toxic alternative to consume nicotine. However, to pass such a message can also contribute to decreased motivation to make smoking cessation or may even motive non-smokers to begin consumption, undermining the gains made in the fight against tobacco in decades. Therefore, its use in the work environment should not be recommended and restrictions for conventional cigarettes should also be applied to the electronic cigarette. Keys-words: electronic cigarettes, occupational health, occupational medicine.