Nurses’ knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and practices regarding electronic cigarettes: A crosssectional study

Abstract

E-cigarette consumption has increased rapidly over recent years, partly due to the belief that the use of e-cigarettes is a potential smoking cessation aid, and harm-reducing alternative to conventional cigarettes1. However, evidence is mixed regarding the efficacy of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation2. Further, potential harmful health effects of e-cigarettes have been reported, but scientific research is yet to fully examine these effects3. In view of the inconsistent conclusions regarding e-cigarette safety, and use as a smoking cessation aid, it is unclear how health professionals, such as nurses, guide their patients about e-cigarette use. We assessed knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding e-cigarettes among a cohort of United States Midwestern hospital nurses using the theory of planned behavior as a theoretical framework.