Giving out vapes at accident and emergency (A&E) departments in England and Scotland boosted patients' confidence to switch away from smoking, according to new research. A University of East Anglia led study in collaboration with Exeter and other partner institutions has looked at how well a smoking cessation program worked when offered to people unexpectedly in emergency departments. The paper is published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research .
The researchers conducted interviews with both patients and staff in six hospitals involved in the trial and observed what happened in the emergency department to understand the context. In interviews with 34 patients, most found it acceptable to receive brief help to quit smoking while in A&E. Professor Richard Holland, Dean of University of Exeter Medical School and co-author on the study, said, "Helping cigarette smokers quit is so important for their health.
Some people may raise questions about giving out vapes in hospitals. Given the huge toll that smoking can take, it's important to try new and innovative ways to encourage people to consider less harmful options. "Our research showed that giving brief advice, provision of an e-cigarette starter kit and referral to stop-smoking services in this setting can really help, and was welcomed by smokers while waiting in A&E.
" Smoking cessation staff said many participants saw it as a way to pass the time, and some patients even said it was a welcome distraction from the discomf.