E-cigarette use among Hispanics: Reducing risk or recruiting new tobacco users?

Abstract

The prevalence of cigarette smoking in the United States has been declining for over 50 years among all racial/ethnic groups. However, this progress could be stalled or even reversed by the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Hispanics have experienced tobacco-related health disparities resulting from early age of cigarette smoking initiation and less success in quitting smoking. The effects of e-cigarettes on tobacco-related health disparities among Hispanics have not been well described. The uptake of e-cigarettes among Hispanic youth could lead to a “tipping point” phenomenon, in which Hispanics disproportionately become nicotine-dependent in adolescence and suffer increased tobacco-related disease in adulthood. Hypothetically, if Hispanic adult cigarette smokers switch to e-cigarettes, they could reduce (but not completely eliminate) their health risks. This article summarizes the research on the use of e-cigarettes among Hispanics. We describe the prevalence and patterns of e-cigarette use among Hispanic adolescents and adults compared with non-Hispanic whites. Findings indicate that e-cigarette use is rare among Hispanic adults, but Hispanic adolescents are at risk of experimenting with e-cigarettes at early ages, potentially leading to early nicotine addiction and exacerbating tobacco-related disparities in the future. Health education and policy interventions are needed to prevent e-cigarette use among Hispanic adolescents, while acknowledging that some Hispanic adult cigarette smokers may benefit from switching to e-cigarettes.