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Electronic cigarettes and mental illness: Reviewing the evidence for help and harm among those with psychiatric and substance use disorders
Author(s) -
Hefner Kathryn,
Valentine Gerald,
Sofuoglu Mehmet
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/ajad.12504
Subject(s) - tobacco harm reduction , medicine , addiction , harm , electronic cigarette , environmental health , population , harm reduction , psychiatry , nicotine , tobacco control , popularity , mental illness , mental health , public health , tobacco use , psychology , nursing , social psychology , pathology
Background and Objectives Adults with mental illness (MI) use combustible tobacco at increased rates and have greater difficulty quitting smoking. Given the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes), their use by those with MI has important health implications. While preliminary evidence suggests potential benefits of e‐cigarette use for those with MI, well‐controlled, systematic research examining appeal, correlates, and consequences of e‐cigarette use in this vulnerable population is lacking. This review evaluated current knowledge of e‐cigarette use and potential for help and/or harm among adults with MI. Methods The search strategy resulted in k = 88 reports, of which k = 9 were deemed relevant. Results E‐cigarette use is prevalent among those with MI, as is concurrent use of e‐cigarettes and combustibles. E‐cigarettes appeal to those with MI as a viable alternative to combustible tobacco, and their use does not appear to exacerbate nicotine addiction or psychiatric symptoms. However, the long‐term impact of e‐cigarette use on combustible tobacco use and other health indices is largely unknown. Discussion and Conclusions Rigorous research and improved knowledge regarding risks and benefits of e‐cigarette use within this vulnerable population are needed to inform whether special consideration is warranted towards those with MI in developing tobacco control policies and health communications. Recommendations for future e‐cigarette research include improved assessment of the following: 1) psychodiagnostic variability, 2) flavor preferences, 3) the longitudinal impact on combustible tobacco use, and 4) impact of tobacco product communications. Scientific Significance As with combustible cigarettes, individuals with MI may display unique e‐cigarette use patterns from that of the general population. (Am J Addict 2017;26:306–315)