This agreement on e-cigarette use as a smoking cessation tool was obtained between SPLF and SFT by progressive expert’s consensus in November 2019.
• E-cigarette should not be used by non-smokers. E-cigarette use is not recommended without a smoking cessation plan.
• The harmful health effects of tobacco smoke on individuals and populations are significant; tobacco represents the first preventable cause of diseases and death, especially of the respiratory system.
• Smoking cessation pharmacotherapies are available and approved: nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline and bupropion (only bupropion is not reimbursed in France). These drugs must be prescribed as first-line medications before e-cigarette use.
• E-cigarette with a nicotine cartridge is a non-medicated tool of potential help for smoking cessation.
• The harmlessness of the e-cigarette, even when well used, cannot be ascertained. However, the potential toxicity of e-cigarettes, used under the conditions authorized in Europe, appears to be much lower than that of smoked tobacco.
• In the current state of knowledge, e-cigarette use is to be preferred to tobacco consumption.
• E-cigarette use aiming at smoking cessation should be of limited duration, once abstinence is achieved and the urge to smoke suppressed.
• Questions about e-cigarettes use should be part of any health professional visit.
• E-cigarettes use should be banned in closed public areas. The sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids is prohibited for minors.
• Research on the short, medium and long-term effects of e-cigarettes must be developed.
• Regular assessment by health authorities and concerned scientific societies should be regularly performed.
These recommendations have been disseminated with a practical guidance for new e-cigarette users.