Dual Use of Combustible Cigarettes and E-cigarettes: a Narrative Review of Current Evidence

Abstract Purpose of ReviewE-cigarette use (vaping) among adults has increased, and various patterns of concurrent smoking and vaping (i.e., “dual use”) have emerged. Understanding dual use is important for mitigating tobacco-related harm. This narrative review summarizes recent research on dual use, including prevalence and types of dual use, sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics, nicotine dependence, reasons for dual use , harm perceptions, toxicant exposure, trajectories of dual use, and emerging treatments for dual use.Recent FindingsNearly half of e-cigarette users concurrently use cigarettes, and many smoke more frequently than they use e-cigarettes. This is concerning because dual users are exposed to both cigarette and potential e-cigarette toxicants and the data are mixed regarding the ability of e-cigarettes to promote smoking cessation.SummaryFurther work is needed to identify ways to increase complete smoking abstinence and optimize harm reduction among dual users, including strategies to encourage e-cigarette cessation after stopping smoking.
Source: Current Addiction Reports - Category: Addiction Source Type: research