E-cigarettes and asthma in adolescents

• Published in: Current opinion in allergy and clinical immunology Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 137 - 143
• Main Authors: Afolabi, Folashade, Rao, Devika R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01-04-2023
• Subjects: Animals; Asthma; COVID-19; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Humans; Lung; Mice; Pandemics; United States; United States
• ISSN: 1528-4050; 1473-6322
• DOI: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000000891

E-cigarettes have been long purported to be a mechanism of harm reduction in current smokers. However, market expansion to adolescents has been aggressive, despite government interventions. Research examining the adverse effects of e-cigarettes in teens with asthma has been limited. We discuss the most recent data on the pulmonary manifestations of e-cigarettes use and exposure in adolescents with asthma.
Adolescents with asthma are more likely to be e-cigarette users than those without asthma and more likely to have asthma exacerbations. Increased pulmonary inflammatory cytokines have been seen in e-cigarette users and mouse models. Yet, providers are not confident in e-cigarette screening and counselling despite acknowledging adolescents are using e-cigarettes regularly.
Since the introduction of e-cigarettes into the United States market in 2007, adolescents use of these products has risen, even after a brief decline during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This review will describe the most recent studies on e-cigarette use trends, cytotoxicity of e-cigarette aerosol and associations with the diagnosis and symptoms of asthma. Knowledge gaps, advocacy efforts, evidence on e-cigarette cessation will be highlighted.