Electronic cigarette: package inserts and updated literature review

The issue surrounding electronic cigarettes is becoming increasingly urgent. A student survey conducted by the Flemish centre of expertise on alcohol and other drugs (VAD) shows that regular use of e-cigarettes among young people aged 12 to 18 has tripled in 2022-2023 compared to 2018-2019.

In this advisory report, the Superior Health Council therefore advocates the introduction of inserts with e-cigarettes containing targeted warning messages and reliable information. The Council also provides a summary and update of the existing literature, based on two previous reports on the evolution of electronic cigarettes and on inserts for tobacco products.

The Superior Health Council's general position on e-cigarettes corresponds to the first three warning messages on the insert:

• A healthy lifestyle means not smoking and not vaping.
• Electronic cigarettes are strongly discouraged for non-smokers, especially young people and young adults (<25 years) and pregnant women.
• E-cigarettes may serve as a possible aid to adult smokers in quitting smoking, preferably under the supervision of a health professional.