Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Amani A

Adolescents who use e-cigarettes three-to-five times more likely to start smoking, new review says

The Health Research Board’s review will help inform Department of Health policy.

ADOLESCENTS WHO USE e-cigarettes are three-to-five times more likely to start smoking tobacco cigarettes compared to those who have never used e-cigarettes.

That’s according to a new review from the Health Research Board (HRB), conducted to help inform Department of Health policy regarding e-cigarettes.

The review also found that e-cigarettes are no more effective than approved and regulated nicotine replacement therapies – such as gum, patches, lozenges – to help people stop smoking.

The HRB said that e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation device are not regulated or approved, and their safety beyond 12 months is not yet known.

  • Our colleagues at Noteworthy want to examine if teenagers are being targeted by the vaping industry in Ireland. See how you can support this project here.

The dual use of both e-cigarettes and conventional tobacco cigarettes wasn’t less harmful than smoking tobacco alone, the HRB said. 

It also pointed to acute effects of e-cigarettes including poisonings, burns, blast injuries, lung injury and asthmatic attacks. It added that some of the chemicals in e-cigarettes are thought to cause tissue and cell damages, and some are agents that may cause cancer in the long term. 

The HRB also stressed that the long-term health effects beyond 24 months are not yet fully researched. Its review was based on analysis of existing research and literature into e-cigarettes and their effects. 

Dr Jean Long, the head of the HRB’s evidence centre, said: “Our findings also highlight that e-cigarettes have the potential to negatively impact on the health of adolescents, leaving them more likely to initiate tobacco smoking. These factors would have to be considered as part of any smoking harm reduction strategy.

Our findings highlight that it is important more is done to promote NRT and protect the health of adolescents and vulnerable groups before considering the role of unregulated e-cigarettes as a harm reduction approach.

Last year, then-Minister for Health Simon Harris pledged to ban the sale of e-cigarettes to children. Legislation to enact this has been examined by the Department of Health. 

HRB chief executive Dr Mairéad O’Driscoll said: “This HRB review is already informing forthcoming HSE good practice guidelines to help people stop smoking and these will take into consideration the place of the e-cigarette when trying to stop smoking. The Department of Health have also prepared legislation which will look at licensing of retail outlets and banning e-cigarettes for young people under 18 years of age.”

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
35 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
    Favourite Drew TheChinaman :)
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 9:00 AM

    Fruit flavored malt beer blast endorsed by snoop dog… That’s a thing now?

    May God have mercy on our souls.

    172
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francie Coffey
    Favourite Francie Coffey
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 9:17 AM

    ” Snoopy Snoopy dog dog ” – Fr. Ted. Crilly.

    105
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james sullivan
    Favourite james sullivan
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 9:29 AM

    Sweet alcoholic energy drinks…what a time to be alive.

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francie Coffey
    Favourite Francie Coffey
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 9:24 AM

    Colt45 is the preferred beverage at the World long distance puking championships.

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute potty o shea
    Favourite potty o shea
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 9:06 AM

    I’d say he needs the money!

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute J's Back
    Favourite J's Back
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 9:05 AM

    Got your stereotypes all wrong Journal, PBR is the beer of the rednecks.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute O Swetenham
    Favourite O Swetenham
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 10:37 AM

    Yeah but hipsters were drinking PBR way before rednecks thought it was cool.

    46
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Crocodylus Pontifex
    Favourite Crocodylus Pontifex
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 10:46 AM

    Comments open on an ongoing court case in foreign jurisdiction? Make up your mind Journal! (On a side note Snoop is guilty)

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 12:52 PM

    You answered your own question with the words “foreign jurisdiction”. It’s really not all that complicated.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Crocodylus Pontifex
    Favourite Crocodylus Pontifex
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 3:24 PM

    If only Neal. The journal often closes comments on foreign trials.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David McShite
    Favourite David McShite
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 9:47 AM

    Ahhh snoop!
    White people’s favorite black rapper to make them feel cool and hip. The rap version of the 80s “heavy metal ” band Europe.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bill Jones
    Favourite Bill Jones
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 10:05 AM

    I honestly don’t know where to start with this so I’m probably better off just leaving it…

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bob Beaman
    Favourite Bob Beaman
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 11:53 AM

    It’s pure dog piss.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SCO Electrical
    Favourite SCO Electrical
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 7:27 PM

    There is ALOT of words in that article that mean nothing to me

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kate Horgan
    Favourite Kate Horgan
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 7:46 PM

    Proof, as if it were needed, that hipsters are thick as two short planks nailed together with bricks. PBR is one of the worst beers in America. And that’s saying a lot.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan O Connor
    Favourite Ronan O Connor
    Report
    Jun 9th 2015, 1:21 PM

    #PBR is top notch . Loves the shtuff!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds