Correction: Improving on estimates of the potential relative harm to health from using modern ENDS (vaping) compared to tobacco smoking (BMC Public Health, (2021), 21, 1, (2038), 10.1186/s12889-021-12103-x)

Abstract

The corrected Abstract of this article [1] should read as follows: This corrected Abstract replaces the previous one. The original work attempted to quantify the relative harm to health from electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) compared to smoked tobacco. As such it used various biomarker studies and previously modelled estimates of smoking-related health loss. However, we now consider that the data limitations with the selected studies and the assumptions involved in our method, are too problematic to allow for a valid quantitative assessment. The original manuscript text remains below to show the approach taken, but interested readers are directed to the correction file that explains the specifi c limitations with the studies and limitations with the analysis. This correction file also details some potential ways in which future studies can help advance knowledge of this topic. Our revised conclusion is therefore that despite our previous analysis, given the data and methods limitations in the biomarker studies we identified, it seems premature to develop quantitative estimates of the relative harm to health from using modern ENDS (vaping) compared to tobacco smoking. At the request of the Editor, we now outline our reasoning for this more cautious conclusion below.