Use of Electronic Cigarettes with Conventional Tobacco Is Associated with Decreased Sleep Quality in Women

Perceptions of Health Risks and Accessibility: A Social Media-Based Pilot Study of Factors Influencing Use of Vaping and Combustible Tobacco Products

The prevalence of e-cigarette use (vaping) in young adults is concerning, particularly because the initiation of combustible tobacco use is higher in e-cigarette vapers. It is unclear why young, never-smoker vapers decide to start smoking cigarettes, but they may be influenced by perceptions of health risks and accessibility. We designed a social media questionnaire to assess factors driving the initiation of combustible tobacco use by e-cigarette vapers (multi-inhalant use) and switches between inhalant types. Respondents reported an earlier initiation of combustible tobacco versus vaping (18 vs. 19, respectively, p < 0.0001), greater ease of obtaining combustibles versus vaping products (p < 0.01), and pleasure of vaping being equivalent to that of smoking. The majority of subjects (57%) reported smoking first prior to adding vaping devices, 32% reported initiating both smoking and vaping within 12 months of one another, and 11% reported initiating vaping first. Among respondents (n = 864) who switched from vaping to smoking (n = 104), the primary reasons included 1. the perception that smoking was healthier (44%) and 2. greater accessibility of cigarettes (40%). For those who switched from smoking to vaping (n = 178), the predominant motivations included 1. having friends or family who vape (40%) and 2. the perception that vaping was healthier (36%). Among multi-inhalant users (n = 223), key factors driving this behavior included 1. increased enjoyment (47%) and 2. greater variety (42%). Our findings imply that there is no single, dominant reason driving the initiation of combustible use or switching from one inhalant to another. Further, tobacco users are receiving mixed messaging, leading many to believe that combustible tobacco is the healthier option. Public health interventions are needed to prevent the initiation of e-cigarette vaping by youth and to educate the public about the health effects of tobacco products.

Factors driving switching from vaping of e-cigarettes to smoking tobacco and initiation of multi-inhalant use

The prevalence of e-cigarette use in adolescents is concerning, particularly because of high rates of vapers transitioning to combustible tobacco. It is unclear why young, never smoker, e-cigarette vapers decide to start smoking cigarettes, but the transition may be influenced by perceptions of health risks and accessibility. We designed a social media questionnaire to assess factors driving switches from vaping to smoking, smoking to vaping, and multi-inhalant use. Among respondents (n=864) who switched from vaping to smoking (n=104), primary reasons included: 1. perception that smoking was healthier (44%); and 2. greater accessibility of cigarettes (40%). For switchers from smoking to vaping (n=178), predominant motivations included: 1. having friends or family who vape (40%); and 2. perception that vaping was healthier (36%). Among multi-inhalant users (n=223), key factors driving this behavior included: 1. increased enjoyment (47%); and 2. greater variety (42%). Our findings imply that there is no single, dominant reason driving switching from vaping to smoking. Further, tobacco users are receiving mixed messaging, leading many to believe that combustible tobacco is the healthier option. Public health interventions are needed to prevent initiation of e-cigarette vaping by youth and education of the public about health effects across tobacco products.

Dual Use of Cannabis with Tobacco Is Associated with Increased Sugary Food and Drink Intake in Young People

Rates of cannabis initiation among teenagers and young adults are increasing. Further, the use of various forms of cannabis (smoked or vaped) with nicotine (dual use) is increasingly common among young people. The health effects of dual use are lesser known, particularly in the context of high-potency cannabis products and across different routes of administration, which is ominous in terms of predicting future health outcomes. There is a long history of cannabis use being associated with decreased activity and increased snacking, both of which could portend an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease, particularly when these habits begin during formative years. However, modern forms of cannabis may not have these same effects. Here, we assess whether cannabis use alone and dual use of cannabis with nicotine impact dietary and exercise habits in young people. An anonymous, social media-based survey was designed based on the UC San Diego Inhalant Questionnaire and published diet and exercise questionnaires. A total of 457 surveys were completed. Young sole cannabis users represented 29% of responders, 16% were dual users of cannabis and nicotine, and 55% were non-users of either drug. Although the sole use of cannabis was not associated with dietary or activity differences relative to non-users, dual users of cannabis and nicotine reported higher consumption of unhealthy sugars. This novel finding of dual use being associated with increased sugar intake in young people raises concerns for an increased risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease in this population.

Dual Exposure to E-Cigarette Vapour and Cigarette Smoke Results in Poorer Airway Cell, Monocyte, and Macrophage Function Than Single Exposure

E-cigarette users predominantly also continue to smoke cigarettes. These Dual Users either consume e-cigarettes in locations where smoking is not allowed, but vaping is, or to reduce their consumption of cigarettes, believing it will lead to harm reduction. Whilst it is known that e-cigarette vapour is chemically less complex than cigarette smoke, it has a distinct chemical profile, and very little is known about the health impacts of exposure to both chemical profiles vs. either alone. We simultaneously exposed cells in vitro to non-toxic levels of e-cigarette vapour extract (EVE) and cigarette smoke extract (CSE) to determine their effects on 16HBE14o- airway epithelial cell metabolism and inflammatory response, as well as immune cell (THP-1 cells and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) from healthy volunteers) migration, phagocytosis, and inflammatory response. We observed increased toxicity, reduced metabolism (a marker of proliferation) in airway epithelial cells, and reduced monocyte migration, macrophage phagocytosis, and altered chemokine production after exposure to either CSE or EVE. These cellular responses were greater after dual exposure to CSE and EVE. The airway epithelial cells from smokers showed reduced metabolism after EVE (the Switcher model) and dual CSE and EVE exposure. When EVE and CSE were allowed to interact, the chemicals were found to be altered, and new chemicals were also found compared to the CSE and EVE profiles. Dual exposure to e-cigarette vapour and cigarette smoke led to worse functional outcomes in cells compared to either single exposure alone, adding to limited data that dual use may be more dangerous than smoking only.

Associations between e-cigarette use and sleep health among adults in the United States, NHANES 2015-2018

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations between e-cigarette use or dual (e-cigarette and combustible cigarette) use and short sleep duration and trouble sleeping among U.S. adults.

METHODS

We used 2015-2018 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (n = 11,659). E-cigarette use and dual use were categorized as current, former, and never use. Short sleep duration was defined as sleep duration ≤6 h. Trouble sleeping was self-reported. Weighted logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Among those with current e-cigarette use, 53.9 % were with current dual use and 23.8 % were with former dual use. Compared to never e-cigarette use, current e-cigarette use was associated with significantly higher odds of trouble sleeping (OR = 2.16, 95 % CI: 1.49-3.13), adjusting for potential confounders. Significant associations were also observed for former e-cigarette use versus never use with trouble sleeping (OR = 1.54, 95 % CI: 1.15-2.07) after full adjustment. Current cigarette use was associated with both short sleep duration (OR = 1.65, 95 % CI: 1.28-2.14) and trouble sleeping (OR = 1.36, 95 % CI: 1.03-1.79) after full adjustment. Additionally, the fully adjusted ORs for short sleep duration and trouble sleeping were 1.64 (95 % CI: 1.06-2.54) and 2.14 (95 % CI: 1.34-3.42) among those with current dual use, and 1.46 (95 % CI: 1.17-1.81) and 2.11 (95 % CI: 1.66-2.67) among those with former dual use, compared to those without dual use.

CONCLUSIONS

Current cigarette use or dual use is associated with significantly higher odds of short sleep duration and trouble sleeping. Moreover, former e-cigarette use or dual use is associated with increased odds of trouble sleeping.

Chronic health effects associated with electronic cigarette use: A systematic review

Introduction

Over the last decade, e-cigarette use has been on the rise but with growing health concerns. The objective of this systematic review was to update findings for chronic health outcomes associated with e-cigarette use from the 2018 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report.

Methods

Three bibliographic databases were searched to identify studies comparing the chronic health effects of e-cigarette users (ECU) to non-smokers (NS), smokers, and/or dual users indexed between 31 August 2017 and 29 January 2021. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and full texts. Data were extracted by one reviewer and verified by a second one. Outcomes were synthesized in a narrative manner using counts and based on statistical significance and direction of the association stratified by study design and exposure type. Risk of bias and certainty of evidence was assessed. The protocol was prospectively registered on Open Science Framework https://osf.io/u9btp.

Results

A total of 180 articles were eligible. This review focused on 93 studies for the 11 most frequently reported outcomes and from which 59 reported on daily e-cigarette use. The certainty of evidence for all outcomes was very low because of study design (84% cross-sectional) and exposure type (27% reported on exclusive ECU, i.e., never smoked traditional cigarettes). Overall, the summary of results for nearly all outcomes, including inflammation, immune response, periodontal and peri-implant clinical parameters, lung function, respiratory symptoms, and cardiovascular disease, suggested either non-significant or mixed results when daily ECU was compared to NS. This was also observed when comparing exclusive ECU to NS. The only notable exception was related to oral health where most (11/14) studies reported significantly higher inflammation among daily ECU vs. NS. Compared to the smokers, the exclusive-ECUs had no statistically significant differences in inflammation orperiodontal clinical parameters but had mixed findings for peri-implant clinical parameters.

Conclusions

This review provides an update to the 2018 NASEM report on chronic health effects of e-cigarette use. While the number of studies has grown, the certainty of evidence remains very low largely because of cross-sectional designs and lack of reporting on exclusive e-cigarette exposure. There remains a need for higher quality intervention and prospective studies to assess causality, with a focus on exclusive e-cigarette use.

Cardiopulmonary Consequences of Vaping in Adolescents: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Although the US Food and Drug Administration has not approved e-cigarettes as a cessation aid, industry has at times positioned their products in that way for adults trying to quit traditional cigarettes; however, their novelty and customizability have driven them into the hands of unintended users, particularly adolescents. Most new users of e-cigarette products have never smoked traditional cigarettes; therefore, understanding the respiratory and cardiovascular consequences of e-cigarette use has become of increasing interest to the research community. Most studies have been performed on adult e-cigarette users, but the majority of these study participants are either former traditional smokers or smokers who have used e-cigarettes to switch from traditional smoking. Therefore, the respiratory and cardiovascular consequences in this population are not attributable to e-cigarette use alone. Preclinical studies have been used to study the effects of naive e-cigarette use on various organ systems; however, almost all of these studies have used adult animals, which makes translation of health effects to adolescents problematic. Given that inhalation of any foreign substance can have effects on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, a more holistic understanding of the pathways involved in toxicity could help to guide researchers to novel therapeutic treatment strategies. The goals of this scientific statement are to provide salient background information on the cardiopulmonary consequences of e-cigarette use (vaping) in adolescents, to guide therapeutic and preventive strategies and future research directions, and to inform public policymakers on the risks, both short and long term, of vaping.

Dual use of e-cigarettes with conventional tobacco is associated with increased sleep latency in cross-sectional Study

The health effects of e-cigarettes remain relatively unknown, including their impact on sleep quality. We previously showed in a pilot study that females who smoke both conventional tobacco and vape e-cigarettes (dual users) had decreased sleep quality (measurement of how well an individual is sleeping) and increased sleep latency (amount of time to fall asleep), suggesting an influence by gender. Cough is also known to adversely impact sleep quality and may be caused by inhalant use. As a result, we undertook this study to assess the impact of e-cigarette, conventional tobacco, and dual use on sleep quality, sleep latency, cough, and drug use. Participants (n = 1198) were recruited through online surveys posted to social media sites with a monetary incentive. Participants were grouped by inhalant use, with 8% e-cigarette users, 12% conventional tobacco users, 30% dual users, and 51% non-smokers/non-vapers. Dual use of e-cigarettes and conventional tobacco was associated with increased sleep latency relative to non-smokers/non-vapers by multivariable linear regression (mean difference of 4.08; 95% CI: 1.12 to 7.05, raw p = 0.007, adjusted p = 0.042); however, dual usage was not significantly associated with sleep quality relative to non-smokers/non-vapers (mean difference 0.22, 95%CI: (−0.36, 0.80), raw p = 0.452, adjust p = 0.542). Dual use was also associated with a higher reporting of cough (p = 0.038), as well as increased marijuana (p < 0.001) and cocaine (p < 0.001) usage. This study demonstrates that  dual use is associated with longer sleep latency, and suggests that the shared component of nicotine may be a driver. Because sleep broadly impacts multiple aspects of human health, defining the associations of e-cigarettes and vaping devices on sleep is critical to furthering our understanding of their influence on the body.

Deleterious Association of Inhalant Use on Sleep Quality during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic generated large amounts of stress across the globe. While acute stress negatively impacts health, defining exact consequences and behavioral interventions can be difficult. We hypothesized that a generalized increase in stress and anxiety caused by continuation of the global pandemic would negatively impact sleep quality and that ever users of e-cigarettes and conventional tobacco would have more profound alterations over time. Participants were recruited via social media to complete an online survey in April 2020 (n = 554). Inhalant use was assessed through the UCSD Inhalant Questionnaire and sleep quality was gauged through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). A set of participants (n = 217) retook the survey in June 2020. Inhalant users—historical or current e-cigarette vapers, conventional tobacco smokers, and dual users—had higher PSQI scores than never smoker/never vapers, demonstrating worse sleep quality in inhalant users. Non-smoking/non-vaping subjects who retook the survey in June 2020 had improvement in their PSQI scores by paired t test, indicating better sleep quality as the pandemic continued, while inhalant users of all types had persistently high PSQI scores (poor sleep quality). These data suggest that ever users of tobacco products may be susceptible to overall diminished sleep quality in the setting of stressful life circumstances. These data also suggest that pandemic-initiated lifestyle changes may have led to improvements in sleep quality. Finally, these findings raise concerns for correlations between either past or active e-cigarette use on sleep, and thus overall health.

Inflammatory phenotype modulation in the respiratory tract and systemic circulation of e-cigarette users: a pilot study

Over 40 million people use e-cigarettes worldwide, but the impact of chronic e-cigarette use on health has not been adequately defined. In particular, effects of e-cigarette aerosol inhalation on inflammation and host defenses across the body are not fully understood. We conducted a longitudinal cohort pilot study to explore changes in the inflammatory state and monocyte function of e-cigarette users (n = 20) versus healthy controls (n = 13) and to evaluate effects of e-cigarette use reduction on the same. Saliva, sputum, and blood were obtained from e-cigarette users at baseline and after a 2-wk intervention of decreased e-cigarette use. Overall, across 38 proteins quantified by multiplex, airway samples from e-cigarette users tended to have decreased levels of immunomodulatory proteins relative to healthy controls, whereas levels of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in the circulation tended to be elevated. Specifically, e-cigarette users had lower levels of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in saliva (P < 0.0001), with higher IL-1Ra and growth-regulated oncogene (GRO) levels in sputum (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively), and higher levels of both TNFβ (P < 0.0001) and VEGF (P < 0.0001) in plasma. Circulating monocytes from e-cigarette users had alterations in their inflammatory phenotype in response to reduced e-cigarette use, with blunted IL-8 and IL-6 release upon challenge with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively), suggesting a decreased ability to appropriately respond to bacterial infection. Based on these findings, chronic inhalation of e-cigarette aerosols alters the inflammatory state of the airways and systemic circulation, raising concern for the development of both inflammatory and infectious diseases in chronic users of e-cigarettes.

Assessing the potential impact of age and inhalant use on sleep in adolescents

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Targeted marketing has caused a recent surge in teen electronic cigarette usage. In all-age surveys, we isolated adolescent data (13-20 years) to assess age alongside electronic cigarettes, traditional tobacco, and dual usage of both with sleep quality and cough. Based on existing adult literature, we hypothesized an association between dual usage and increased sleep latency.

METHODS

Participants were recruited to complete surveys via social media sites. We performed 3 surveys: Survey 1 (n = 347) in 2018, Survey 2 (n = 1198) in 2019, Survey 3 (n = 554) in 2020. Surveys 1 and 2 had 3 sections: UCSD Inhalant Use Survey, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Leicester Cough Questionnaire. Survey 3 did not include the Leicester Cough Questionnaire, instead the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire were used. The adolescent data were isolated (n = 609).

RESULTS

Adolescents reported longer sleep duration with increasing age by one-way analysis of variance. By Tukey's multiple comparisons test, females slept more at ages 19 and 20 years than at age 14 years (P < .01). Female dual users slept more than nonsmokers, (P = .01; mean difference 43.8 minutes; confidence interval = 0.11 to 1.36). We observed an association between dual use and sleep latency vs nonsmokers (P = .0008; mean difference 6.27 minutes; confidence interval = 1.40 to 11.13). We saw no correlation between inhalant use and cough.

CONCLUSIONS

In females, we observed a peak in sleep hours at age 19 years. College-aged females may wake later than younger adolescent females. The data also raised concern for sleep disruption and nicotine-induced wakefulness. Further data are required to guide public health strategies.

CITATION

Malhotra CK, Gunge D, Advani I, Boddu S, Nilaad S, Crotty Alexander LE. Assessing the potential impact of age and inhalant use on sleep in adolescents. J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(11):2233-2239.

Chronic E-Cigarette Aerosol Inhalation Alters the Immune State of the Lungs and Increases ACE2 Expression, Raising Concern for Altered Response and Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2

Conventional smoking is known to both increase susceptibility to infection and drive inflammation within the lungs. Recently, smokers have been found to be at higher risk of developing severe forms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). E-cigarette aerosol inhalation (vaping) has been associated with several inflammatory lung disorders, including the recent e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) epidemic, and recent studies have suggested that vaping alters host susceptibility to pathogens such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To assess the impact of vaping on lung inflammatory pathways, including the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor known to be involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection, mice were exposed to e-cigarette aerosols for 60 min daily for 1-6 months and underwent gene expression analysis. Hierarchical clustering revealed extensive gene expression changes occurred in the lungs of both inbred C57BL/6 mice and outbred CD1 mice, with 2,933 gene expression changes in C57BL/6 mice, and 2,818 gene expression changes in CD1 mice (>abs 1.25-fold change). Particularly, large reductions in IgA and CD4 were identified, indicating impairment of host responses to pathogens via reductions in immunoglobulins and CD4 T cells. CD177, facmr, tlr9, fcgr1, and ccr2 were also reduced, consistent with diminished host defenses via decreased neutrophils and/or monocytes in the lungs. Gene set enrichment (GSE) plots demonstrated upregulation of gene expression related to cell activation specifically in neutrophils. As neutrophils are a potential driver of acute lung injury in COVID-19, increased neutrophil activation in the lungs suggests that vapers are at higher risk of developing more severe forms of COVID-19. The receptor through which SARS-CoV-2 infects host cells, ACE2, was found to have moderate upregulation in mice exposed to unflavored vape pens, and further upregulation (six-fold) with JUUL mint aerosol exposure. No changes were found in mice exposed to unflavored Mod device-generated aerosols. These findings suggest that specific vaping devices and components of e-liquids have an effect on ACE2 expression, thus potentially increasing susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. In addition, exposure to e-cigarette aerosols both with and without nicotine led to alterations in eicosanoid lipid profiles within the BAL. These data demonstrate that chronic, daily inhalation of e-cigarette aerosols fundamentally alters the inflammatory and immune state of the lungs. Thus, e-cigarette vapers may be at higher risk of developing infections and inflammatory disorders of the lungs.

The Effect of Cigarette Use and Dual-Use on Depression and Sleep Quality

Background: Recently, the use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes rises among Korean adults. This study examined between-groups differences in depression and sleep quality based on smoking/vaping status. Methods: The groups were classified into non-users, cigarette users, and dual-users according to the present use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Data from the 2018 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) were used in this study. The participants were 153,646 adults aged > 19cyears. Results: One-way analysis of covariance models showed that dual-users reported significantly higher depression scores (PHQ-9) and significantly lower sleep quality (PSQI-K), respectively, than did cigarette users and non-users. Conclusions: These results imply that dual-use can have a negative impact on mental health. This study supports previous studies on the harmfulness of dual-use and suggests that more studies related to the dual-use of cigarettes should be conducted in the future.

[Associations between Cigarette and Electronic Cigarette Use and Sleep Health in Korean Adolescents: An Analysis of the 14th (2018) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Surveys]

PURPOSE

This study aimed to understand the relationship between cigarette and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use and sleep health among Korean adolescents.

METHODS

Using the 14th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, we included 52,928 adolescents who responded to sleep satisfaction and sleep duration. Participants were classified into four groups: non-users, cigarette-only users, e-cigarette-only users, and dual users of both products. To examine the associations between cigarette and e-cigarette use and sleep health, data were analyzed using complex samples cross tabulation and complex samples logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the four groups, dual users reported the lowest level of sleep satisfaction and sleep duration; 57.0% and 86.9% of dual users were not satisfied with their sleep and have insufficient sleep duration, respectively. The proportion of students who were not satisfied with their sleep was higher among cigarette-only users compared to e-cigarette-only users (52.7% vs. 45.8%), but the two groups reported similar rates of insufficient sleep duration (84.2% vs. 84.3%). Compared to non-users, cigarette-only users, e-cigarette-only users, and dual users were more likely to not be satisfied with sleep (odds ratios [ORs] were 1.49, 1.36, and 1.75, respectively) and had significantly higher odds of experiencing insufficient sleep duration (ORs were 1.85, 2.06, and 2.34, respectively).

CONCLUSION

E-cigarette-only use and dual use as well as cigarette-only use were associated with poor sleep health. Therefore, to improve adolescent sleep health, health professionals should provide sleep intervention strategies considering the association between smoking and sleep health.

Main and Interactive Effects of Nicotine Product Type on Sleep Health Among Dual Combustible and E-Cigarette Users

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

E-cigarette use is associated with concurrent use of combustible cigarettes among adults and may increase the risk of future combustible cigarette use in adolescents and young adults. Detrimental effects of combustible cigarette use on sleep health are well documented, but little is known about the additive effects of concurrent e-cigarette use. The current study examined the main and interactive effects of daily nicotine product frequency on various components of sleep health.

METHODS

Two hundred and twenty-seven dual-product users (54.2% female, M_age  = 36.89, SD = 10.17) completed questionnaires regarding demographic information, average number of cigarettes smoked per day, average number of times e-cigarettes used per day, and sleep health.

RESULTS

Combustible cigarette frequency uniquely predicted shorter sleep duration, whereas e-cigarette frequency uniquely predicted increased daytime dysfunction due to sleepiness. Further, there was an interactive effect of combustible and electronic cigarettes on the use of sleeping medications.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Findings may suggest differential adverse effects on sleep, depending on the type of nicotine product used, and highlight potential intervention targets for users. Future work should examine these associations prospectively and/or use objective measurements of sleep and nicotine use to further elucidate the nature of these relationships.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

This is the first study to explore the main and interactive effects of dual-product use on various dimensions of subjective sleep quality. This is important to investigate, given that dual nicotine users are at greater risk for physical health problems as well as the adverse effects of nicotine on sleep health. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00-00).

Effects of e-cigarettes and vaping devices on cardiac and pulmonary physiology

E-cigarette aerosols are exceedingly different from conventional tobacco smoke, containing dozens of chemicals not found in cigarette smoke. It is highly likely that chronic use of e-cigarettes will induce pathological changes in both the heart and lungs. Here we review human and animal studies published to date and summarize the cardiopulmonary physiological changes caused by vaping. In terms of cardiac physiology, acute exposure to e-cigarette aerosols in human subjects led to increased blood pressure and heart rate, similar to traditional cigarettes. Chronic exposure to e-cigarette aerosols using animal models caused increased arterial stiffness, vascular endothelial changes, increased angiogenesis, cardiorenal fibrosis and increased atherosclerotic plaque formation. Pulmonary physiology is also affected by e-cigarette aerosol inhalation, with increased airway reactivity, airway obstruction, inflammation and emphysema. Research thus far demonstrates that the heart and lung undergo numerous changes in response to e-cigarette use, and disease development will depend on how those changes combine with both environmental and genetic factors. E-cigarettes have been advertised as a healthy alternative to cigarette smoking, and users are under the impression that vaping of e-cigarettes is harmless, but these claims that e-cigarettes are safer and healthier are not based on evidence. Data from both humans and animal models are consistent in demonstrating that vaping of e-cigarettes causes health effects both similar to and disparate from those of cigarette smoking. Further work is needed to define the long-term cardiopulmonary effects of e-cigarette use in humans.

The Association of Sleep Duration and the Use of Electronic Cigarettes, NHANES, 2015-2016

Introduction. The unknown effects of electronic cigarettes are public health concerns. One potential effect of electronic cigarette fluid constituents, such as nicotine, may influence sleep. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is an association between sleep duration and electronic cigarette use.

Methods

A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015-2016. Variables of interest included responses to questions concerning electronic cigarette use, hours of sleep, and other variables associated with sleep. Data analyses were conducted with the Rao-Scott chi square test and logistic regression.

Results

This study was conducted on 2889 participants, aged 18-65 years, of whom 50.7% were female. Using a bivariate analyses of electronic cigarette usage and sleep duration, participants who never used an electronic cigarette were more likely to have appropriate sleep durations as compared with participants who were currently using electronic cigarettes (P < 0.0001). After adjusting for sociodemographic variables and cigarette smoking, current electronic cigarette use was associated with higher odds of less sleep duration (adjusted odds ratio = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.79; P < 0.0001). After adjusting for sociodemographic variables and cigarette smoking, current electronic cigarette use was associated with higher odds of less sleep duration (adjusted odds ratio = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.79.

Conclusions

Participants currently using electronic cigarettes are more likely to have less sleep as compared to participants who have never used electronic cigarettes. Implications. With sleep time duration being a major factor for proper body function and repair, this study can serve as confirmation that the use of electronic cigarettes is not a harmless health behavior.