title: E-Cigarette as a Harm Reduction Approach among Tobacco Smoking Khat Chewers: A Promising Bullet of Multiple Gains.
abstract: Khat chewing/use, a green leaf with amphetamine-like effects is socially integrated in the Middle East and Africa. Khat chewing is often associated with tobacco smoking and occurs in closed places, such as a family home setting where the smoke-free laws cannot be implemented. Tobacco cigarette smoking among khat chewers is a significant concern, but there is also second-hand exposure to smoke at home or in places where khat users gather. Evidence suggests that e-cigarettes represent a significantly less harmful form of nicotine intake. Evaluating the effects of e-cigarettes among khat chewers could be important in understanding the impact of e-cigarettes as a harm reduction approach, with the potential to reduce the health risk associated with smoking.
authors.affiliation: College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah 43353, Saudi Arabia. saba262003@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Saba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kassim
authors.affiliation: Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Sygrou 356, Kallithea 17654, Greece. kfarsalinos@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Konstantinos E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Farsalinos
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D029754:Catha; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008877:Middle East; D009538:Nicotine; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine
keywords: e-cigarettes; khat; nicotine; tobacco smoking