The dual use of tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes is associated with increased incidents of respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing, according to research published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Researchers followed more than 20,000 children and adults who fell into one of four categories: people who do not smoke, people who smoke tobacco cigarettes, people who smoke electronic cigarettes, or people who smoke tobacco and electronic cigarettes. After a year, they found people who used tobacco and electronic cigarettes had higher incidents of respiratory conditions – which can develop more quickly than long-term conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The authors note the study reinforces the health risks of electronic cigarettes, especially when combined with tobacco cigarettes. They note people should know about the associated risks of using electronic and tobacco cigarettes together. They encourage those who are looking for help with quitting smoking to use FDA-approved treatments, such as medications.
This section of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Cancer Institute and Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.