Evidence use in E-cigarettes debates: scientific showdowns in a 'wild west' of research.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Against a backdrop of declining tobacco use, e-cigarette markets are growing. The UK now has a higher percentage of e-cigarette users than any other European country. These developments have prompted fierce discussions in scientific, advocacy and policy communities about how best to respond. This article is one of the first to examine the role of evidence in these debates.

Methods

We analysed 121 submissions to two Scottish policy consultations on e-cigarettes (in 2014 and 2015) and undertook interviews with 26 key informants in 2015-2016, following up with a sub-set in 2019-2020. All data were thematically coded, and our analysis was informed by insights from policy studies and the sociology of science.

Results

First, we affirm previous research in suggest

SUBMITTER: Smith KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7884966 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature