Alternative tobacco products use and its impact on urologic health - will the lesser evil still be evil? A commentary and review of literature

Abstract

Introduction: Alternative tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and non-combustible tobacco products or heat-not-burn (HNB) products, are substitutes to conventional combustible cigarettes with the potential to impact urologic health, similar to traditional smoking. Most urologists, however, have limited knowledge of these products and are unfamiliar with their potential health implications. We conducted a review to assess the impact of e-cigarettes and HNB products on urologic health.

Material and methods: A bibliographic search covering the period up to April, 2021 was conducted using MEDLINE^®/PubMed^® and Google Scholar. Articles were reviewed and categorized based on the potential impact on erectile dysfunction, semen quality, lower urinary tract symptoms, genitourinary malignancies, and smoking cessation. Data were extracted, analyzed and summarized.

Results: Mature data on the long-term impact of e-cigarette and HNB product use on urologic health are lacking. E-cigarette and HNB vapors appear to contain decreased concentrations of chemicals responsible for erectile dysfunction compared to tobacco smoke but may play a role through endothelial damage. Use of e-cigarettes is associated with lower sperm counts. No definitive data has shown a link between e-cigarette or HNB product use and lower urinary tract symptoms. Multiple carcinogens including those specifically linked to bladder cancer have been identified in the urine of e-cigarette and HNB product users. Limited data suggest e-cigarettes may aid in smoking cessation.

Conclusions: Urologists may benefit from understanding the urologic health concerns surrounding e-cigarettes and HNB product use and patients may benefit from being properly educated.

Keywords: combustible cigarettes; e-cigarettes; electronic cigarettes; heat-not-burn.

Figure 1

Schematic of the electronic cigarette elements. Reproduced with permission from: Mathur A, Dempsey OJ. Electronic cigarettes: a brief update. JR Coll Physicians Edinb. 2018; 48: 346-351.

Figure 2

The Tobacco Heating System (THS) components (A), a schematic exploded view of the Holder (B), and a schematic cross-section view of the Tobacco Stick (C). Reproduced with permission from MRTPA – THS Executive summary (https://www.fda.gov/media/105437/download).