HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES ON HEALTH: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: Bezerra Cicero Dayves da Silva , Varellis Maria Lucia Zarvos , Mello Erika da Silva , Silva Raquel Feliciano da , Dalapria Vanessa , Boaro Letícia Cristina Cidreira , Deana Alessandro Melo , Galache Thais Rodrigues 
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are devices that heat a liquid to produce an aerosol (or vapor) that is inhaled by users. This liquid usually contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. They were developed as an alternative to traditional cigarettes and are often promoted as a less harmful option for smokers who want to quit. e-cigarettes come in various shapes and sizes, from disposable models to more sophisticated, rechargeable, and customizable ones. A battery powers them and contains a compartment for liquid (e-juice or e-liquid), which is vaporized to mimic the smoking experience. Although some studies indicate that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, there are still health risks. Continued use of nicotine can lead to addiction and some research suggests that vaporizing certain ingredients can cause respiratory problems and lung inflammation. In addition, there are concerns about increased use among young people, especially due to aggressive marketing and the variety of flavors available.Objective: Check the current literature on the harmful effects of electronic cigarettes on health. Method: This is an integrative literature review carried out from 2016 to 2024 using the Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and National Library of Medicine (PubMed) databases, using the descriptors registered in the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS): Intensive Care; Protective ventilation strategies; Invasive Mechanical Ventilation; Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. The Boolean operator “AND” was used to define the combination between the terms. The research included articles published between 2016 and 2024, in Portuguese and English, with free access and full-text availability. Monographs and abstracts were excluded from the research. Discussion: the high prevalence of electronic smoking devices, in addition to serving as “starter” products for the consumption of traditional cigarettes and the use of other drugs, makes ESDs anq alarming problem for public health, despite being considered a less harmful means of smoking. The safe use of EC with the release of nicotine has not been proven to be safe for the user’s health. The biggest problem is related to the lack of supervision and necessary regulations regarding the composition of the devices and the amount of nicotine available. Conclusion: the use of electronic cigarettes is harmful both to the user and to the public health and more and more regulations are needed to monitor the dissemination of advertisements and the marketing of the product. It is suggested that further research be carried out to corroborate the harmful effects of EC use, understand its different aspects, and devise strategies to reduce its impact, to improve the population’s health in general.