Hygiena 2025, 70(2):62-64 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1884
Is vaping nicotine a gateway to smoking tobacco? Rules on how to review and design studies
- 1 Univerzita Karlova, 1. lékařská fakulta, Ústav hygieny a epidemiologie a Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice v Praze, Praha, Česká republika
- 2 Univerzita Karlova, 1. lékařská fakulta, III. interní klinika, Centrum pro závislé na tabáku a Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice v Praze, Praha, Česká republika
- 3 Ústav zdravotnických informací a statistiky ČR, Národní institut kvality a excelence zdravotnictví, Praha, Česká republika
Publications on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) often present controversial conclusions. Methodologies and results vary widely, making it challenging to navigate the evidence. This is particularly true for the studies examining the association between the prevalence of vaping (EC use) and the prevalence of smoking, especially among young people. A frequently discussed concern is that nicotine vaping may serve as a gateway to later tobacco smoking (the gateway effect). Below, we outline key principles that studies on this topic should follow and that reviewers of publications should consider.
Keywords: vaping, smoking, e-cigarettes, prevalence, youth
Received: May 2025; Accepted: June 16, 2025; Published: June 30, 2025 Show citation
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