REVIEW PAPER
Vaping and COVID-19 pandemic: changes in e-cigarette use and conclusions for the future – narrative review
1
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Medical University, Łódż, Poland
2
Medical Department, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Military and Medical Sciences, Medical University, Łódż, Poland
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Corresponding author
Małgorzata Znyk
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Medical University, Żeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Łódź, Poland
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Medical University, Żeligowskiego 7/9, 90-752 Łódź, Poland
Med Og Nauk Zdr. 2023;29(4):262-270
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become the most common form of nicotine consumption among adolescents and young adults. Little is known about the impact of government-imposed restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic on the vaping behaviour of both adolescents and adults. This study aimed to explore scientific research concerning the prevalence of e-cigarette usage following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Review methods:
A systematic, comprehensive search of English-language literature in online databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, Scopus, Google Scholar) was conducted from January 2023 – June 2023. A key word search was conducted for publications published from March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was announced to December 2022.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Most of the analyzed articles reported changes in e-cigarette use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reasons for the increase in the use of e-cigarettes during the pandemic included: boredom, loneliness, stress caused by lockdown, and online purchases. The decrease in e-cigarette consumption is attributed to stayat-home orders causing barriers to e-cigarette access, limited peer group gatherings, and increased time spent at home with the family. The Covid-19 pandemic also impacted attempts to stop the use of e-cigarettes.
Summary:
Understanding the factors that influenced changes in e-cigarette use during the COVID-19 pandemic should be used to develop prevention programmes for adolescents and young adults. Educating young people and increasing knowledge about the harmful effects of using e-cigarettes may contribute to reducing the initiation of using e-cigarettes, and is a strong incentive to quit smoking.
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become the most common form of nicotine consumption among adolescents and young adults. Little is known about the impact of government-imposed restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic on the vaping behaviour of both adolescents and adults. This study aimed to explore scientific research concerning the prevalence of e-cigarette usage following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Review methods:
A systematic, comprehensive search of English-language literature in online databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, Scopus, Google Scholar) was conducted from January 2023 – June 2023. A key word search was conducted for publications published from March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was announced to December 2022.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Most of the analyzed articles reported changes in e-cigarette use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reasons for the increase in the use of e-cigarettes during the pandemic included: boredom, loneliness, stress caused by lockdown, and online purchases. The decrease in e-cigarette consumption is attributed to stayat-home orders causing barriers to e-cigarette access, limited peer group gatherings, and increased time spent at home with the family. The Covid-19 pandemic also impacted attempts to stop the use of e-cigarettes.
Summary:
Understanding the factors that influenced changes in e-cigarette use during the COVID-19 pandemic should be used to develop prevention programmes for adolescents and young adults. Educating young people and increasing knowledge about the harmful effects of using e-cigarettes may contribute to reducing the initiation of using e-cigarettes, and is a strong incentive to quit smoking.
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