E-Cigarette-Electronic Cigarette-E-Cigs-E-Liquid-Vaping-Stop Smoking-Quit Smoking by TBEC Review is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

In 2020, the National Institute of Health conducted a study published in the Journal for the American Medical Association to investigate the positive health effects of electronic cigarette use in minority communities. Randomized clinical trials nationwide took place nationwide over two years on black and Latino smokers who consumed at least 5 cigarettes per day that professed in interest in switching to e-cigarettes. When the study concluded, those who partially or totally switched saw vastly reduced biological risk signs. 

Key Findings: 

  • Only 14% of participants returned entirely to traditional cigarettes following the study 
  • Carbon monoxide levels in the bodies of those who switched to vaping were 47% lower than in smokers 
  • Respiratory health in those who switched to vaping improved 37% 
  • Additionally, they saw a 64% reduction in the carcinogen NNAL 

 
The study selected from a pool of 186 participants, 92 of which were black and 92 Latino. 125 were randomly selected to be given e-cigarettes. The remaining subjects were used as a control group. 28% successfully transitioned to vapor products entirely, while 58% began using them partially with cigarettes. Only 14% returned to traditional cigarette smoking by the end of the study. Those who did switch saw a considerable improvement in health. Carcinogens, carbon monoxide, and other dangerous substances associated with smoking markedly declined in their bodies, even if they only partially switched. On average levels of NNAL, a tobacco-specific carcinogen, fell by 64%.  

This data confirms harm-reduction advocates’ calls to recognize electronic cigarettes as an effective method for smoking cessation and a safer alternative to traditional tobacco. This rings especially true in disadvantaged minority communities which typically see higher rates of cigarette use and tobacco-related mortality. Flavor bans serve to prevent black and Latino communities from improving their health and economic prosperity.