WASHINGTON (AP) – The first peek at a major study of how Americans smoke suggests many use combinations of products, and often e-cigarettes are part of the mix.
It’s a preliminary finding, but it highlights some key questions as health officials assess electronic cigarettes.
“Are e-cigarettes a step toward a cigarette smoker getting off of cigarettes? Or are e-cigarettes a crutch so they can get nicotine in places and times when they wouldn’t normally be allowed to smoke cigarettes?” asked Dr. Andrew Hyland of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the primary investigator for a huge government study of trends in smoking and tobacco use.
Hyland’s study is one of a number of projects that scientists are watching as they explore the public health implications of e-cigarettes. Here are some things to know:
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