Does electronic cigarette use lead to tobacco smoking initiation among adolescents in the Netherlands?

Tobacco smoking causes 19,000 deaths per year in the Netherlands. Since 2007, a reduced-risk product is on the Dutch market: the electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). An e-cigarette delivers nicotine without many of the cancer causing and other toxic substances that are present in combustible tobacco smoke. Although some mainly see the harm reduction potential of e-cigarettes, others have concerns that e-cigarettes may appeal to youth and form a gateway to tobacco smoking. In the Netherlands, 39% of the 14-year-olds report to have used e-cigarettes.

Researchers from the USA have examined smoking initiation among adolescents who experimented with e-cigarettes. They found that those who experimented with e-cigarettes were more likely to start smoking combustible tobacco products over the next year. It is important to ascertain whether this finding can be replicated in other countries. Therefore, we will replicate the study from the USA by surveying a school-based cohort of adolescents in the Netherlands at baseline, after 6 months, and after 12 months. In addition, we will extend the study by surveying other ages, type of e-cigarette used and reasons for switching between products.

Not applicable

Baseline

6 months follow up

12 months follow up

Not applicable