According to one of the biggest e-cigarette manufacturer (JUUL), they started e-cigarettes to provide an alternative to help people quit smoking regular cigarettes. They do not state anywhere in their website that e-cigarettes are more or less harmful but increasing research shows that they might be more harmful. CDC claims more research is necessary.
Some of the biggest concerns with e-cigarettes is that they contain flavors which are targeted towards children (ex. cotton candy, fruit flavors, etc.). They also contain concerning amounts of nicotine and metals that are harmful. Moreover, some flavors might be more harmful than others depending on the chemical composition, but research is still ongoing.


Are Electronic Cigarettes Less Harmful than Traditional Cigarettes?

Electronic cigarettes can come in many forms, sizes and flavors, making them very attractive to new users, especially children. They usually contain nicotine, flavorings, metals and various other chemicals. 

University of Rochester

- ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery systems)
- Traditional Cigarettes
- Cigars
- Hookahs
- Pipes
- Smokeless tobacco (ex. chewing tobacco)
- Dissolvable tobacco


Ways to Consume Tobacco

1.  About the Office on Smoking and Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 9 August 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/osh/index.htm.
2. Ambrose, B. K., Day, H. R., Rostron, B., Conway, K. P., Borek, N., Hyland, A., & Villanti, A. C. (2015). Flavored Tobacco Product Use Among US Youth Aged 12-17 Years, 2013-2014. JAMA, 314(17), 1871–1873. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.13802 
3. E-Cigarettes are harmful to health. World Health Organization. Retrieved 9 August 2021, from https://www.who.int/news/item/05-02-2020-e-cigarettes-are-harmful-to-health. 
4. E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults. A Report of the Surgeon General. (2016). Retrieved 9 August 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/e-cigarettes/pdfs/2016_sgr_entire_report_508.pdf. 
5. Malt, L., Verron, T., Cahours, X. et al. Perception of the relative harm of electronic cigarettes compared to cigarettes amongst US adults from 2013 to 2016: analysis of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study data. Harm Reduct J 17, 65 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-020-00410-2
6. PATH (Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health) Study - Home. Pathstudyinfo.nih.gov. Retrieved 9 August 2021, from https://pathstudyinfo.nih.gov/. 
7. Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Young People. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 9 August 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html#six.

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