Lung Disease and E-Cigarettes
By Ann Eshenaur Spolarich, RDH, PhD, FSCDH; Armita Hezarkhani, DMD, MPH; and Marc Shlossman, DDS, MS
Widespread electronic-cigarette (EC) use has led to increased interest in its correlated adverse health effects. United States Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams, MD, MPH, labeled the rising use of EC among youth as an epidemic. He advised the need for immediate action to protect young people from avoidable health risks associated with nicotine addiction, including risks to respiratory health and brain development. The purpose of this article is to review current knowledge about adverse health effects caused by vaping EC and the role of oral health professionals in assessment and patient education to reduce associated harms.
