Impact of electronic cigarette use on quality of life and autonomic nervous system function in young adults

Vysochyna, I.L. and Yashkina, T.O. and Kramarchuk, V.V. (2025) Impact of electronic cigarette use on quality of life and autonomic nervous system function in young adults. Clinical and Preventive Medicine (6). pp. 115-123. ISSN ISSN-L: 2616-4868; eISSN 3041-1521

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Abstract

The global decline in traditional tobacco smoking has been accompanied by the rise of heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, marketed as safer alternatives. Despite their popularity among youth, especially due to aggressive marketing and appealing flavors, the long-term health effects of heated tobacco products remain insufficiently studied.Aim. To evaluate the effects of heated tobacco product use on the quality of life and autonomic nervous system function in healthy young adults using the SF‑36 and Wayne questionnaires, with a focus on gender-specific differences.Materials and methods. This case-control study involved 92 participants divided into two groups: 66 heated tobacco products users and 26 non-smokers. Inclusion criteria for main group comprised daily use of these devices for up to five years, somatic health, and a body mass index within normal limits. Non-smokers had no active or passive exposure to tobacco products. Quality of life was evaluated using the SF‑36 questionnaire, which measures physical and mental health components through eight subscales.The nervous function was assessed using the Wayne questionnaire, which evaluates the balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic regulation.Results. Heated tobacco product users demonstrated significantly lower quality of life scores compared to non-smokers, particularly in physical and mental health components. Women showed more pronounced declines in role-physical functioning, mental health, vitality, and social functioning. Longer use of heated tobacco products correlated with reduced social functioning in men and greater declines in emotional state, general health, and pain intensity in women. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction, assessed via the Wayne questionnaire, was strongly associated with reduced quality of life in both genders, though gender-specific patterns of impact were identified.Conclusions. Heated tobacco product use significantly impairs the quality of life and autonomic nervous system function in healthy young adults. Women are more vulnerable to these effects, experiencing greater declines in physical and mental health domains. The findings highlight the need for gender-specific prevention strategies and further research into the long-term health consequences of heated tobacco product use.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	DOI: 10.31612/2616‑4868.6.2025.13
Uncontrolled Keywords:	heated tobacco product, mental health, gender differences,preventive strategies
Subjects:	Family Medicine
Divisions:	Departments > Department of Internal Medicine
Depositing User:	Аліна Чеботарьова
Date Deposited:	05 Jan 2026 10:13
Last Modified:	05 Jan 2026 10:13
URI:	http://repo.dma.dp.ua/id/eprint/9669

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