Knowledge of electronic cigarettes: A survey of national health service (NHS) employees at a large UK district general hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes are a fast growing industry with their use increasing threefold in the last two years in the UK, 0.7 to 2.1 million users.(Action on Smoking and Health briefing, November 2014) There is a lack of evidence and no consensus among the worldwide healthcare community regarding their use. Aims: To establish the level of knowledge among NHS employees in Blackpool Victoria Hospital (BVH) regarding Electronic cigarettes. Methods: We put together a questionnaire containing 18 questions to test knowledge in the following areas: 1) Legislation/Regulation: Age restriction, Advertising, use in Schools, Hospitals, Pubs, Buses, Trains, Airports, Indoor public areas, Outdoor public areas 2) Hospital policy (within BVH) 3) Clinical evidence: Smoking cessation, Pregnancy, Home oxygen, Second hand smoke It was distributed to the 7,400 staff via the hospital email system. Paper copies were handed out in public areas. Results: 1053 staff members completed the survey(Nurses & care assistants 48.1%, Clerical staff 30.7%, Doctors 12.1%), a return rate of 14.3%. Accuracy of answers: 1) Legislation/Regulation: Age restriction 26.4%, Advertising 8.7%, Hospitals 7.1%, Schools 2.5%, Pubs 17.8%, Buses 4.2%, Trains 3.7%, Airports 4.5%, Indoor public areas 14.7%, Outdoor public areas 76.0% 2) Hospital policy 70.5% 3) Clinical evidence: Smoking cessation 43.3%, Home oxygen 39.4%, Pregnancy 55.8%, Second hand smoke 40.7% Conclusions: There is a lack of knowledge among NHS employees at our institution regarding Electronic cigarettes legislation/regulation, hospital policy and clinical evidence, highlighting the need for targeted education in this field.