Study on Health Effects of E Cigarettes

Long-Term Health Effects of E-Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes have emerged as popular tobacco products, which are relatively different from conventional cigarettes. These new tobacco products include e-pipes, e-pens, and e-hookahs that are increasingly used as electronic systems for nicotine delivery. Electronic cigarettes are electronic devices that enable users to inhale vapor that contains nicotine and other substances. These devices are battery-operated and contain a heating component to heat electronic liquid from a cartridge that can be refilled and release aerosol or vapor that is filled with chemicals. Despite their increased popularity, the long-term health effects of electronic cigarettes remain largely unknown. The individual and public health effects of e-cigarettes remain largely unknown, which is the reason why these tobacco products are unregulated in the United States and across the globe. This research proposal is for a study that seeks to examine the long-term health of electronic cigarettes.

Background of the Research Issue

As previously mentioned, electronic cigarettes have become popular in the recent past given their significant difference from traditional cigarettes. These new tobacco products are electronic nicotine delivery systems that are battery-operated and use a heating component to heat electronic liquid from a cartridge that releases aerosol or vapor that is chemical-filled ("E-cigarettes and Lung Health," n.d.). The main element of these tobacco devices is the electronic liquid or e-liquid that is contained in refillable cartridges. In order to create an electronic liquid, nicotine is obtained from the tobacco and combined with a base, which is mostly propylene glycol. The base may include other elements like colorings, flavorings, and other chemicals that are used to create e-liquid.

The popularity of these products is increasing across the globe, particularly in the United States because they allegedly do not entail tobacco combustion. This is primarily because e-cigarettes contain nicotine and other components that are vaporized or aerosolized before inhalation by the user. While they increase in popularity, the health effects (both short-term and long-term) of e-cigarettes remain largely unknown and have generated increased concerns in the recent past. Policymakers, healthcare professionals, and consumers have become concerned about the probable health effects of these tobacco devices. These concerns have increased because of the lack of regulation of these products while relevant agencies find it difficult to establish such regulations because of difficulties in determining what they contain. Proponents of these devices contend that they lack of tobacco combustion lessens toxicant exposure for users unlike traditional cigarettes (Callahan-Lyon, 2014, p.ii36). Therefore, the potential individual and public health effects of e-cigarettes' exposure is an issue that requires comprehensive study.

Statement of the Research Problem

E-cigarettes are increasingly popular though their long-term health effects remain largely unknown as these devices are unregulated. It is increasingly difficult to determine the health effects of electronic cigarettes because they do not involve combustion of tobacco like traditional cigarettes. Users of these devices experience direct contact through inhaling aerosol while others may experience secondhand exposure. Research into the actual health effects of e-cigarettes lag behind at a time when the products increase in popularity.

Therefore, the main issue surrounding electronic cigarettes is whether they are safer than traditional cigarettes given that they do not entail tobacco combustion but inhalation of nicotine and other components. E-cigarettes do not have the biggest danger associated with traditional cigarettes i.e. tobacco. However, while electronic cigarettes may be less harmful as compared to conventional cigarettes, their long-term health risks or effects are largely unknown and issues of major concern.

Research Question

In order to examine the research problem, the researcher has developed a research question that will guide the inquiry. The research question for this analysis or study is, "What are the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes given that they do not involve tobacco combustion like traditional cigarettes?"

Research Objectives

When conducting this study, the researcher seeks to achieve several objectives that are relevant to the phenomenon under investigation. First, the researcher seeks to provide insights on the increased use of electronic cigarettes and the reason for their increased popularity. Secondly, the researcher seeks to understand why these products remain unregulated despite increased use. Third, the study will provide insights regarding the long-term health risks and effects of e-cigarettes. This is a major issue given the increased concerns regarding the safety and health benefits of e-cigarettes and the availability of limited data about their health impacts i.e. short-term and long-term. Fourth, the researcher will examine the health risks or effects of e-cigarettes in relation to the health impacts of traditional cigarettes and the differences between these two products.

Research Methodology

In order to achieve the research objectives, the researcher will conduct an empirical study that is driven by the increased need to understand the health risks or effects of e-cigarettes, which are increasing in popularity. Despite the limited availability of data relating to this subject, the researcher will conduct a qualitative content analysis on the research issue. This will entail examining existing studies on the phenomenon under investigation in order to identify themes and patterns relating to health effects of electronic cigarettes. In essence, the content analysis will be geared towards identifying themes and patterns in current literature regarding e-cigarettes and their impact on health. The identified themes and patterns will be used to generate findings on what are the long-term health risks or effects of e-cigarettes. Therefore, the study will primarily be a review of available published data on the health risks or effects relating to exposure to electronic cigarettes. The focus of the analysis will be on the individual harm associated with the use of e-cigarettes. In addition to focusing on the individual harm brought by e-cigarettes, the researcher will also analyze the addictive nature of these e-cigarettes and potential health effects brought by the addiction.