Abstract
BackgroundElectronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), commonly known as e-cigarettes or vapes, have witnessed a rise in popularity, particularly among the youth. Although they were initially introduced as an alternative to traditional smoking, the design and function of ENDS vary. The potential health effects of ENDS, especially in comparison to traditional cigarettes, are a matter of ongoing debate. Given the increasing number of clinical studies and systematic reviews on this topic, there exists a demand for an umbrella review that offers a comprehensive assessment. The goal of this study is to perform an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses to assess the safety, efficacy, health implications and potential gateway effect associated with ENDS.Methods and analysisThis umbrella review will adhere to the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. A planned literature search will be executed across databases such as OVID, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria are systematic reviews that discuss ENDS and e-liquids in the context of safety, efficacy and health outcomes. The exclusion criteria include narrative reviews, non-systematic reviews and studies not in English. Quality of the selected studies will be evaluated using the AMSTAR V.2 Scale. An overlap assessment will be done using the Corrected Covered Area, and data synthesis will be presented both narratively and in tabulated formsEthics and disseminationEthics approval is not required for this study, as it does not involve the collection of original data. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. The findings will offer crucial insights for stakeholders, policy-makers and the general public, underlining the health implications and the role of ENDS in tobacco cessation.
Funder
World Health Organization
Reference25 articles.
1. DHHSU . E-Cigarette Use among Youth and Young Adults A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: US: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2016.
2. Final opinion on the safety of breast implants in relation to anaplastic large cell lymphoma: Report of the scientific committee on health, emerging and environmental risks (SCHEER)
3. National Academies of Sciences E, Medicine . Public health consequences of E-cigarettes. 2018.
4. Boseley S . Hon Lik invented the E-cigarette to quit smoking–but now he’s a dual user. In: The Guardian 19. 2015:
5. Nicotine delivery to users from cigarettes and from different types of e-cigarettes