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Alcohol and other drug health‐care providers and their client's perceptions of e‐cigarette use, safety and harm reduction
Author(s) -
Skelton Eliza,
Guillaumier Ashleigh,
Tzelepis Flora,
Walsberger Scott,
Paul Christine L.,
Dunlop Adrian J.,
Palazzi Kerrin,
Bonevski Billie
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0959-5236
DOI - 10.1111/dar.13276
Subject(s) - harm reduction , medicine , tobacco harm reduction , intervention (counseling) , smoking cessation , nicotine , harm , family medicine , population , health care , environmental health , safer , nicotine replacement therapy , public health , psychiatry , nursing , tobacco use , psychology , social psychology , computer security , pathology , computer science , economics , economic growth
Abstract Introduction E ‐cigarettes containing nicotine may potentially assist cessation in a heavily nicotine‐dependent population with high relapse and tobacco‐related burden. This study aims to determine alcohol and other drug (AOD) health‐care provider and client awareness, use and attitudes regarding harm reduction and safety of e‐cigarettes. Methods The study was part of a larger cluster randomised controlled trial with 32 Australian AOD services. At a post‐intervention survey conducted October 2016, health‐care providers were asked whether they believed e‐cigarettes could help smokers quit tobacco, whether they believe e‐cigarettes are safer than tobacco smoking and whether they would recommend e‐cigarettes to clients who are interested in quitting smoking. At the 6‐month follow‐up survey conducted January 2015–March 2016, AOD clients were asked about their e‐cigarette knowledge, ever use, current use, reasons for use and place of purchase. Results One hundred and eighty health‐care providers and 427 AOD clients responded. A minority of health‐care providers agreed with the statements that e‐cigarettes could help smokers quit tobacco (30%), while just under one‐third (25%) agreed that e‐cigarettes were safer than tobacco smoking. However, only 19% would recommend e‐cigarettes. Most AOD clients (93%) reported awareness of e‐cigarettes, 39% reported ever use; however, only 7% reported current use. Of those reporting ever use, 52% used a nicotine e‐cigarette. The most common reasons for e‐cigarette use were ‘wanted to try’ (72%) and ‘help cut down smoking’ (70%). Discussion and Conclusions Both AOD health‐care providers and clients are aware of e‐cigarettes but are cautious in using and recommending their use.