Electronic nicotine delivery devices, and their impact on health and patterns of tobacco use: a systematic review protocol.
BACKGROUND
E-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have recently attracted considerable attention. Among some individuals there is strong debate and a polarisation of views about the public health benefits versus harms of ENDS. With little regulation, the ENDS market is evolving, and new products are introduced and marketed constantly. Rapid developments in manufacturing, marketing and consumer domains related to ENDS will warrant frequent re-evaluation, based on the state of the evolving science. The purpose of this article is to describe a protocol for an ongoing comprehensive review of the published scientific literature on ENDS.


METHODS
We will undertake a systematic review of published empirical research literature on ENDS using the National Library of Medicine's PubMed electronic database to search for relevant articles. Data from included studies will be extracted into a standardised form, tables with study details and key outcomes for each article will be created, and studies will be synthesised qualitatively.


BACKGROUND
This review synthesises published literature and presents no primary data. Therefore, no ethical approval is required for this study. Subsequent papers will provide greater detail on results, within select categories, that represent gaps in the literature base.
The Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies, Legacy, Washington, DC, USA.
Allison M
AM
Glasser
The Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies, Legacy, Washington, DC, USA Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
Caroline O
CO
Cobb
Evaluation Science and Research, Legacy, Washington, DC, USA.
Lyubov
L
Teplitskaya
Evaluation Science and Research, Legacy, Washington, DC, USA.
Ollie
O
Ganz
The Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies, Legacy, Washington, DC, USA.
Lauren
L
Katz
The Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies, Legacy, Washington, DC, USA.
Shyanika W
SW
Rose
The Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies, Legacy, Washington, DC, USA.
Shari
S
Feirman
The Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies, Legacy, Washington, DC, USA Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Andrea C
AC
Villanti
D001294:Attitude to Health; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000009:adverse effects; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic; D064424:Tobacco Use / Q000517:prevention & control*
EPIDEMIOLOGY; PUBLIC HEALTH; TOXICOLOGY