Andrew Stokes, PhD

E-cigarette use has increased dramatically in recent years in the United States. However, current evidence on the respiratory health effects of e-cigarettes is insufficient to inform tobacco regulatory policy. To fill this gap, we will use data from the large, nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study to prospectively examine the association of e-cigarette use behaviors and product transitions (such as the transition to exclusive e-cigarette use or dual cigarette and regular cigarette use) with respiratory symptoms and events. We will then assess risks associated with specific product characteristics, flavors, and use behaviors. We will also identify patterns of use behavior that are most strongly associated with respiratory events. This research will generate robust and timely evidence on the health risks of e-cigarettes to inform state and federal efforts to regulate sales, packaging, and marketing.

Update:

Major accomplishments included publication of an article in JAMA Network Open entitled “Association of Electronic Cigarette Use with Incident Respiratory Conditions Among US Adults from 2013 to 2018.” The study is among the first to apply methods of longitudinal data analysis to evaluate the relationship between e-cigarette use and incident respiratory events. A second paper published in Circulation and entitled “Association of Cigarette and Electronic Cigarette Use Patterns with Levels of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers Among US Adults: Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study” investigated the association of e-cigarette use patterns with biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress.