Tips for Discussing Dangers of Vaping With Patients
E-cigarettes were introduced more than a decade ago, and their use in adults and youth has steadily increased since then.
E-cigarettes were introduced more than a decade ago, and their use in adults and youth has steadily increased since then. Some of the statistics related to e-cigarettes are sobering. Results of the FDA’s 2014 Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study showed that more than 2 million adults use e-cigarettes daily and more than 3 million (prevalence, 2.4%) use them occasionally.
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Meanwhile, the surgeon general of the United States has described youth e-cigarette use as an “unprecedented epidemic.” Between 2011 and 2015, use of e-cigarettes grew 900% among high school students.
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Chances are, then, that a significant number of patients, especially within the teen group, are currently using, have previously used, or are exposed to e-cigarettes. Many will turn to health care professionals to answer questions about vaping. Counseling on smoking cessation, the harmful effects of both e-cigarette and conventional cigarette smoking, and dependable, trusted methods for quitting should all be a standard part of a pharmacist’s visit with these patients. Teaching patients about what is happening to their bodies when they are exposed to e-cigarettes not only gives them powerful knowledge about the risks of smoking but also encourages a trusting relationship between patient and provider.
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