Health care providers are a trusted source for patients seeking information about tobacco, vaping, or cannabis. By using evidenced-based and best-practice resources to assist patients with quitting tobacco, helping patients seek help with cannabis dependence, and providing relevant, age, and culturally appropriate resources, patients are more likely to have success in changing their behavior.
Commercial tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, contributing to chronic disease, cancer, premature and low birth weight babies, and early death. In 2020, 12.5% of U.S. adults (an estimated 30.8 million people) were currently smoking cigarettes.1
According to 2021 data from the Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 51.8% of smokers reported stopping smoking for one day or longer because they were trying to quit smoking. Providers, including physicians, nurses, medical assistants, and support staff, can help patients quit tobacco by using interventions that have been shown to be effective when implemented with consistency.
Best practice in tobacco cessation interventions can be found here:
Vaping devices, also known as personal vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems, vape pens, mods and other names, have been rising in popularity for more than a decade, particularly among youth and adults seeking an alternative to smoking or as a means to attempt cessation. Primary health concerns with vaping include dangerous toxins found in secondhand exposure, addicting and poisonous nicotine found in the liquid used in the devices, and health risks to vulnerable populations including pregnant women and children.
Vaping devices are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as smoking cessation devices and may not help people quit using tobacco. The best way to quit smoking is to use a combination of nicotine replacement therapy (gum, patch or medication) and counseling. Providers should recommend patients utilize free assistance by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW, see the Department of Health's help to quit tobacco or see SRHD’s list of tobacco cessation resources.
In Washington state, marijuana use is legal for adults over age 21. While some of the health impacts of marijuana are still unknown, marijuana use has been shown to be dangerous for youth and for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Health care providers are trusted experts on patient health. When talking with patients about cannabis use, providers can screen for addiction risk, contraindications with other substances, and can make recommendations for safe storage and promote responsible use like advising patients not to drive under the influence. Providers can also direct patients to the Washington Recovery Helpline if the patient wants access to 24/7 anonymous, free support. The number for the hotline is 866.789.1511.
SOURCES
1 “Fast Facts and Fact Sheets – Smoking and Cigarettes,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last reviewed August 22, 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htm.
Information about lung injury associated with the use of E-cigarette or vaping products.
