Physician Advice for e-Cigarette Use

Purpose: To determine characteristics of smokers discussing e-cigarette use with their physician and receiving recommendations from their physician to use e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. Methods: US adult smokers who had visited a physician in the previous 12 months (n = 2671) were surveyed. Logistic generalized estimating equation models were used to assess the characteristics of smokers who (1) talked to a physician about e-cigarettes, and (2) received physician advice to use e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. Results: 15% (n = 406) of smokers who visited a physician talked with their physician about e-cigarettes. Among those asked whether their physician recommend e-cigarettes for smoking cessation (n = 257), 61% responded affirmatively. Current e-cigarette users were more likely to talk to their physicians about e-cigarettes (nondaily users vs never users: OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.79 - 4.05; daily users vs never users: OR, 4.29; 95% CI, 2.34 - 7.84) and have their physician recommend e-cigarettes for smoking cessation (daily users vs never users: OR, 9.40; 95% CI, 2.54 - 34.71). Conclusions: The majority of smokers who talk to their physician about e-cigarettes report that they received advice to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking, despite limited evidence for their efficacy. More studies are needed to better understand e-cigarette recommendations in clinical settings.