Electronic devices for nicotine delivery: types, problems and potential risks

INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered inhalation delivery systems for nicotine or other psychoactive aerosols, which also contain flavorings and other components of nicotine-containing liquid. Use of e-cigarettes poses a significant public health threat. Currently, the lifetime prevalence of e-cigarette smoking reaches 43.7%. Recently, the use of electronic nicotine delivery means is associated with a growing number of respiratory complications most pressing being e-cigarette and vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI). AIM: To present the operating principle of electronic nicotine delivery systems, their types, to suggest the trigger components of e-cigarette liquid and their effect on the respiratory system. This review presents Information on currently available methods and devices for inhaled nicotine delivery proposed as a more modern way to quit traditional tobacco smoking. Information on prevalence of e-cigarette smoking among adults and adolescents is presented. The article discusses the reasons and trends for active spread of e-cigarettes as a means of quitting traditional tobacco smoking, and fallacy of this concept when comparing potential harm for smokers’ health. The history of the creation and development of the existing electronic smoking devices is separately described, and characteristics of the current generations of electronic nicotine delivery systems are given. The article discusses the public health problems arising from the spread of e-cigarette smoking, as well as characteristics of smoking devices and liquids, their components and potential toxic effects of their metabolites, potential health risks for smokers, and possible outcomes. CONCLUSION: The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems threatens with the development of severe respiratory system pathologies due to the presence of various components in smoking liquids, which trigger toxic reactions and enhance addictive effect, thereby worsening lung damage.