title: Electronic nicotine delivery systems ("e-cigarettes"): review of safety and smoking cessation efficacy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cigarette smoking is common among cancer patients and is associated with negative outcomes. Electronic nicotine delivery systems ("e-cigarettes") are rapidly growing in popularity and use, but there is limited information on their safety or effectiveness in helping individuals quit smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors searched PubMed, Web of Science, and additional sources for published empirical data on safety and use of electronic cigarettes as an aid to quit smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a structured search of the current literature up to and including November 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  E-cigarettes currently vary widely in their contents and are sometimes inconsistent with labeling. Compared to tobacco cigarettes, available evidence suggests that e-cigarettes are often substantially lower in toxic content, cytotoxicity, associated adverse effects, and secondhand toxicity exposure. Data on the use of e-cigarettes for quitting smoking are suggestive but ultimately inconclusive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians are advised to be aware that the use of e-cigarettes, especially among cigarette smokers, is growing rapidly. These devices are unregulated, of unknown safety, and of uncertain benefit in quitting smoking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the absence of further data or regulation, oncologists are advised to discuss the known and unknown safety and efficacy information on e-cigarettes with interested patients and to encourage patients to first try FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA Paul.Harrell@Moffitt.org.
authors.forename: Paul Truman
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Harrell
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Vani Nath
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: John Bernard
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Tapan Ashvin
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Padhya
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas Henry
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Brandon
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D004581:Electronics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: carcinogens; e-cigarettes; electronic nicotine delivery systems; nicotine; personal vaporizers; smoking; toxicity; vapers; vaping