• Paul Truman Harrell, Vani Nath Simmons, John Bernard Correa, Tapan Ashvin Padhya, and Thomas Henry Brandon.
• Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, USA Paul.Harrell@Moffitt.org.
• Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014 Sep 1; 151 (3): 381-93.

Background And ObjectivesCigarette smoking is common among cancer patients and is associated with negative outcomes. Electronic nicotine delivery systems ("e-cigarettes") are rapidly growing in popularity and use, but there is limited information on their safety or effectiveness in helping individuals quit smoking.Data SourcesThe authors searched PubMed, Web of Science, and additional sources for published empirical data on safety and use of electronic cigarettes as an aid to quit smoking.Review MethodsWe conducted a structured search of the current literature up to and including November 2013.ResultsE-cigarettes currently vary widely in their contents and are sometimes inconsistent with labeling. Compared to tobacco cigarettes, available evidence suggests that e-cigarettes are often substantially lower in toxic content, cytotoxicity, associated adverse effects, and secondhand toxicity exposure. Data on the use of e-cigarettes for quitting smoking are suggestive but ultimately inconclusive.ConclusionsClinicians are advised to be aware that the use of e-cigarettes, especially among cigarette smokers, is growing rapidly. These devices are unregulated, of unknown safety, and of uncertain benefit in quitting smoking.Implications For PracticeIn the absence of further data or regulation, oncologists are advised to discuss the known and unknown safety and efficacy information on e-cigarettes with interested patients and to encourage patients to first try FDA-approved pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation.© American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation 2014.

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