The Attitudes of South African Respiratory Physicians towards the Use of Electronic Cigarettes as Smoking Cessation Adjuncts

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use remains a substantial health hazard. Promotion of smoking cessation is an important healthcare intervention. Current guidelines for smoking cessation are only modestly successful. It is unclear if electronic cigarettes are effective smoking cessation adjuncts.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the attitudes of respiratory physicians in South Africa towards the use of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation adjuncts.

Setting: Online survey of the attitudes of South African registered respiratory physicians towards e-cigarettes.

Methods: The study was cross-sectional in design and consisted of a questionnaire-based online survey sent by electronic mail and completed by respiratory physicians registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), who were willing to participate.

Results: Fifty-two (63.4%) responses were received. Sixty-seven percent of the participants felt that e-cigarettes were not effective smoking cessation adjuncts. Almost 79% of the respondents were of the opinion that e-cigarettes had less harmful effects on smokers compared to conventional cigarettes. Sixty-two percent of the respondents felt that e-cigarettes could be a gateway to other tobacco product use. More than 80% were in support of strict regulation of e-cigarettes.

Conclusion: The majority of the respondents did not believe in the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation adjuncts, and would be happy with strict laws regulating the use of these products being enacted.