Positionspapier: Suchtmedizinische und gesundheitspolitische Chancen und Risiken durch den Gebrauch von E-Zigaretten

This position paper from the umbrella organization of German addiction societies (German Society of Addiction - Umbrella Organization of Addiction Societies (German: Deutsche Suchtgesellschaft - Dachverband der Suchtfachgesellschaften, DSG)) highlights some aspects of the ongoing discussion about e-cigarettes: it provides recommendations on risk reduction, use in nicotine withdrawal, regulation analogous to tobacco control policy, prevention and research. In general, one can assume that the vapor from an e-cigarette is much less harmful than conventional cigarette smoke and that the e-cigarette can be used for nicotine withdrawal if guideline-based psychotherapeutic and/or drug treatments for nicotine withdrawal are ineffective or unwanted. Nevertheless, the risk potential of the e-cigarette and its use in risk reduction or nicotine withdrawal require further research.