The Risk of Oropharyngeal Cancer from E-Cigarette Use: An Urgent Public Health Concern

Abstract

It is estimated that over 47 million people use tobacco products, mostly in the form of combustible (smokable) tobacco cigarettes. Thirteen to 50% of smokers also use electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes or vaping). Use of tobacco is the primary preventable cause of death and risk factor for lung, head, neck, and oropharyngeal cancer. Electronic cigarettes are a $10 billion dollar industry and has the potential to surpass the tobacco cigarette market. E-cigarette use is a public health concern because of the health issues of vaping and the limited amount of scientific research to support the safety of e-cigarette use. The authors of this paper want to create awareness that use of e-cigarettes is not a safer alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes as e-cigarettes contain known carcinogens that may lead to development of oropharyngeal cancer.