We have received a few calls regarding some patients asserting it is okay to use electronic cigarettes in doctors' office waiting rooms. They have argued that electronic cigarettes emit harmless vapor and are allowed in public places where regular cigarettes are not. So what's the problem?
Studies show that the vapor generated from electronic cigarettes has variable amounts of nicotine and potential harmful toxins. Therefore, it is not as harmless as your patients may have been led to believe.
We recommend that you create an office policy beforehand to avert similar situations in your office.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-operated products designed to deliver nicotine, flavor, and other chemicals. Most e-cigarettes are manufactured to look like conventional cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some resemble everyday items such as pens and USB memory sticks.
E-cigarettes have not been fully studied. At present, consumers currently do not know:
- The potential risks of e-cigarettes when used as intended;
- How much nicotine or other potentially harmful chemicals are being inhaled during use; or
- Whether there are any benefits associated with using these products.
Additionally, it is unknown whether e-cigarettes may lead young people to try other tobacco products, including conventional cigarettes, which are known to cause disease and lead to premature death.
For more informaton, read Electronic Cigarettes Potential Harms and Benefits.
Authored by
Dona Constantine, RN
Senior Risk Management & Patient Safety Specialist
If you have questions about this article, please contact us. This information should not be considered legal advice applicable to a specific situation. Legal guidance for individual matters should be obtained from a retained attorney.