The Electronic Cigarettes in Brazil: An Alternative to Traditional Smoking and Health Risks

Abstract

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gained increasing popularity in Brazil, particularly among adolescents and young adults, often being perceived as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco. However, recent evidence highlights significant health risks associated with their use, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and systemic effects, as well as emerging conditions such as EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury). This integrative literature review was conducted through PubMed, using combinations of the term “electronic cigarette” with health-related descriptors. From an initial pool of over 14,000 studies, ten were selected according to methodological rigor and relevance, with six articles analyzed in depth. Findings show that despite the technological appeal and marketing strategies targeting youth, e-cigarettes contain nicotine, flavorings, heavy metals, and other potentially toxic substances capable of inducing oxidative stress, DNA damage, and pulmonary injury. The evidence indicates that e-cigarettes pose a serious threat not only to individual health but also to public health, potentially reversing the achievements of anti-smoking policies in Brazil. The results reinforce the urgency of implementing regulatory measures, surveillance strategies, and educational campaigns to prevent initiation among young people and mitigate the associated health risks.