UK Research Priorities for Electronic Cigarettes: A James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Tobacco Control
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are increasingly prevalent, necessitating research to inform policy and practice.
• There is a need to align e-cigarette research with the priorities of diverse stakeholders, including users and healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and agree on the top 10 priority research questions for electronic cigarettes in the UK.
• To involve a wide range of stakeholders in setting the research agenda for e-cigarettes.

Main Methods:

• A priority setting partnership following the James Lind Alliance methodology.
• Involved public consultation to gather research questions, followed by surveys and a workshop for prioritization.
• Engaged 765 participants who submitted 1887 questions, leading to a consensus on the top 10.

Main Results:

• 1887 research questions were submitted by the public and professionals.
• A prioritization process involving surveys and a workshop identified the top 10 research questions.
• The agreed priorities reflect the concerns of e-cigarette users, non-users, and healthcare professionals.

Conclusions:

• The study established a consensus-driven list of top 10 research priorities for electronic cigarettes in the UK.
• These priorities will help direct future research efforts and funding opportunities in the e-cigarette field.
• The findings offer valuable insights into the key questions that need addressing regarding e-cigarette use and its implications.