부산대학교 도서관

In Taiwan, the government responded to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control by implementing the Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act. Smoking rates have decreased significantly in different age groups; however, e-cigarette use has increased annually. Primary physicians need to provide relevant health education or counseling to patients regarding questions about e-cigarettes, such as their use as an aid to smoking cessation and their potential harmful or harm-reducing effects. Unfortunately, there is a lack of literature on this topic in Taiwan. The aim of this literature review is to delineate five themes, including the pros and cons of e-cigarettes, the gateway effect, the epidemic disease of e-cigarettes in US youths, the relationship between e-cigarettes and smoking cessation, and the regulation of e-cigarettes. The literature inquiry concludes that e-cigarettes have obvious harms for youth, although research on their long-term effects on cessation and harm-reducing has yet to be conducted. These results could help primary health professionals understand e-cigarettes and cessation education, as well as provide suggestions for tobacco prevention policy.