The Consequences of Adolescent E-Cigarette Use: Why Family Nurse Practitioners Need to Take Action

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigs, have gained wide acceptance among adolescents in the United States (U.S.) today, with reported use rising from 11% in 2017 to 27.5% in 2019. While the longterm harmful effects of e-cigarette use have not been well defined, their use exposes adolescents to nicotine and may serve as a gateway to conventional cigarette use. This literature review outlines the prevalence of e-cigarette use and adolescent perception of harm, the potential and known harmful effects, and how primary care providers can effectively assess and educate to help stall this rapidly growing epidemic. Findings showed a lack of awareness with both the adolescents and providers regarding the harmful effects and risk factors of using e-cigarettes.