ACS Position: Switching to Vaping Reduces Harm

In 2018, the American Cancer Society (ACS) officially revised its stance on e-cigarettes, acknowledging that while vaping is not risk-free, it is a far less harmful alternative for adult smokers. Key Positions: ✔ For adult smokers: Switching completely to vaping is preferable to continuing to smoke. This highlights the concept of harm reduction in smoking cessation. ✔ For non-smokers and youth: Vaping should be avoided due to nicotine addiction risks. This emphasizes the importance of preventing youth vaping. ✔ Dual use (smoking + vaping) is ineffective – Health benefits only come from fully quitting cigarettes. Therefore, complete cessation is the optimal outcome. Emphasis on Harm Reduction and Research This shift by ACS emphasized the importance of harm reduction while maintaining the need for long-term research on vaping’s effects. This recognizes that while not risk-free, e-cigarettes are a less harmful alternative for adult smokers compared to traditional cigarettes.