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. 2023 Oct 2:9:30.
doi: 10.18332/tpc/172079. eCollection 2023.

A scoping review on e-cigarette environmental impacts

Gabrielle Ngambo  1 , Elizabeth G Hanna  2   3 , John Gannon  3 , Hannah Marcus  3 , Marta Lomazzi  3   4 , Razieh Azari  3   4   5
Affiliations

A scoping review on e-cigarette environmental impacts

Gabrielle Ngambo et al. Tob Prev Cessat. .

Abstract

Introduction: The use of e-cigarettes has grown in popularity worldwide. From their manufacturing, use, and disposal, the environmental impacts of e-cigarettes present a novel public health concern that needs to be urgently investigated. However, very limited studies have focused on the subject matter. The present study aims to review available studies to identify the environmental impacts of e-cigarettes.

Methods: In this scoping review, we undertook a search in two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) from inception until 21 March 2023, and a gray literature search in Google Scholar. Reference lists of publications included in the scoping review were screened manually for additional relevant publications. Scientific publications that were in English and focused on the potential impacts of e-cigarettes on the environment were included.

Results: A total of 693 publications were identified, of which 33 were subjected to full-text review and 9 publications were finally included in the review. The impacts on air quality, water, land use, and animals, water and energy consumption, with associated environmental impacts, increased pollution and emissions due to greater e-cigarette production, having harmful and toxic components, creating pollution and waste issues, and global environmental impacts due to manufacturing and importing ingredients and components from low- and middle-income countries, were identified as the environmental impacts of e-cigarettes.

Conclusions: Despite the emphasis on the environmental threat of e-cigarettes, there are limited scientific studies on the environmental impacts of the e-cigarette life cycle. Considering the rapid expansion of e-cigarette usage, there is an urgent need for a rigorous assessment of their life-cycle environmental burden of the various potential health, environmental, and other consequences.

Keywords: e-cigarette; environment; environmental impact; scoping review; tobacco.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest and none was reported.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagram of the scoping review process
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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