Remaining Questions

This chapter explores some of the remaining gaps in knowledge regarding e-cigarettes and tougher questions about their regulation. What role should we allow tobacco companies to have in e-cigarettes? Can we tolerate more nicotine use in pursuit of reductions in smoking? How do e-cigarettes affect smoking-related disparities? Are e-cigarettes appropriate in all national contexts? Should public health agencies recommend e-cigarettes to smokers? Should young smokers be encouraged to switch? Should e-cigarettes be regulated as medicines? Should public resources be used to support vaping cessation? Finally, could e-cigarettes allow us to ban smoking? The discussion provided helps frame the utility for public health of appropriately regulated e-cigarettes while identifying unresolved issues in the literature.