Electronic cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid for patients with cancer: beliefs and behaviours of clinicians in the UK

Abstract

ObjectivesTo explore UK clinicians’ beliefs and behaviours around recommending e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid for patients with cancer.DesignCross-sectional online survey.SettingEngland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.ParticipantsClinicians involved in the care of patients with cancer.Primary and secondary outcomesBehavioural Change Wheel capability, opportunity and motivation to perform a behaviour, knowledge, beliefs, current practice around e-cigarettes and other smoking cessation practices.MethodClinicians (n=506) completed an online survey to assess beliefs and behaviours around e-cigarettes and other smoking cessation practices for patients with cancer. Behavioural factors associated with recommending e-cigarettes in practice were assessed.Results29% of clinicians would not recommend e-cigarettes to patients with cancer who continue to smoke. Factors associated with recommendation include smoking cessation knowledge (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.44) and e-cigarette knowledge (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.55), engagement with patients regarding smoking cessation (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.12 to 4.03), belief in the effectiveness of e-cigarettes (OR 2.36 95% CI 1.61 to 3.47) and belief in sufficient evidence on e-cigarettes (OR 2.08 95% CI 1.10 to 4.00) and how comfortable they felt discussing e-cigarettes with patients (OR 1.57 95% CI 1.04 to 2.36).ConclusionMany clinicians providing cancer care to patients who smoke do not recommend e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid and were unaware of national guidance supporting recommendation of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid.

GP knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices surrounding the prescription of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation: a protocol for a mixed-method systematic review

“…It is important for GPs to understand the safety and efficacy of e-cigarettes so effective recommendations can be given to patients if they do wish to use e-cigarettes, or if they are to be recommended or prescribed as a smoking cessation treatment. GPs are stating that they are unsure around the efficacy and safety of e-cigarettes 17,18,[37][38][39][40] however, some findings have revealed that GPs believe e-cigarettes are safer than combustible cigarettes 41,42 .…”

“…Current available literature has revealed that GPs seek information and guidance from online government sources and reported that patients were more informed about e-cigarettes than their GPs. 19 , 37 This suggests that there is knowledge deficit around e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, and further research and guidance is needed to provide patients with correct information regarding e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid in primary care settings. 16 – 19 , 37 , 38 , 41 , 43 – 46 …”

“… 19 , 37 This suggests that there is knowledge deficit around e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, and further research and guidance is needed to provide patients with correct information regarding e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid in primary care settings. 16 – 19 , 37 , 38 , 41 , 43 – 46 …”

The old and familiar meets the new and unknown: patient and clinician perceptions on e‐cigarettes for smoking reduction in UK general practice, a qualitative interview study

“…Recent surveys of clinicians [ 37 ] and stop‐smoking practitioners [ 38 , 39 ] have highlighted the need for training in understanding harm reduction. Our study showed that following training, support and the ability to offer e‐cigarettes, clinicians felt comfortable enough to recommend them.…”

Association of E-Cigarettes With Erectile Dysfunction: The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study

“…16 Moreover, several countries such as Belgium and the United Kingdom use ENDS in smoking-cessation treatment. 17,18 However, there is a paucity of data on the association of ENDS with ED. 19 Studies have shown that the nicotine present in combustible cigarettes is responsible for many physiologic changes that contribute to the development of ED.…”