Researchers say e-cigarettes might be smoking gateway – want more studies

The use of electronic cigarettes has more than tripled among students in Poland during the past three years, according to research led by Maciej Goniewicz, PhD, PharmD, of the Department of Health Behavior at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI).

The study, published online ahead of appearing in the Journal of Adolescent Health (JAH), was conducted in collaboration with researchers at the Medical University of Silesia in Poland.

“Our research suggests that e-cigarette use is rapidly increasing among youth in Poland,” said Goniewicz. “This study adds to a growing body of evidence that e-cigarette use is increasing not only among adult smokers, but also among adolescents around the world. Further studies are necessary to illuminate our understanding of the reasons for this phenomenon and to help determine if e-cigarettes are a gateway to traditional cigarette use.”

The researchers analyzed e-cigarette use among 1,760 students aged 15 to 19 attending 17 schools during 2010-2011 and 1,970 students attending 21 schools during 2013-2014. Students from 13 schools participated in both studies.

The share of students who had ever tried e-cigarettes increased from 16.8 percent during 2010-2011 to 61.1 percent during 2013-20 14.

At the same time, e-cigarette use increased from 5.5 percent to 29.9 percent.

The number of adolescents who used traditional tobacco products [smoked] also increased, from 23.9 percent to 38 percent.

Use of both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes increased from 65.3 percent to 72.4 percent.

Goniewicz said these findings suggested that e-cigarettes were not replacing conventional tobacco cigarettes.

The report is at: http://www.newswise.com/articles/roswell-park-led-study-documents-significant-rise-in-e-cigarette-use-among-youth-in-poland.