The Intersection Between COVID-19 and Adolescent E-Cigarette use

COVID-19 Research Area(s): Epidemiology & Public Health, Healthcare Delivery & Policy

The electronic cigarette industry has been aggressively marketing their products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the industry has been using health claims to promote e-cigarette use during this time. Vulnerable young people may become attracted to using e-cigarettes because of the falsely advertised health claims by the industry. Unfortunately, health care professionals severely lack adequate resources to discuss electronic cigarettes with young patients. Thus, we provide tools to address these false claims and ensure health care professionals can best support young patients.

We studied the literature to see how electronic cigarettes were being promoted by the electronic cigarette industry. Upon reviewing articles discussing the current marketing practices of the industry, we created manuscripts advocating and providing tools for healthcare professionals and public health organization to use in combatting the electronic cigarette industry. Recent research shows a strong correlation between young people who use electronic cigarettes and them testing positive for COVID-19.