Electronic Cigarettes on Hospital Campuses

Clare Meernik, Hannah M. Baker, Karina Paci, Isaiah Fischer-Brown, Daniel Dunlap and Adam O. Goldstein
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Clare Meernik: Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Hannah M. Baker: Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Karina Paci: Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Isaiah Fischer-Brown: Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Daniel Dunlap: University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Adam O. Goldstein: Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Smoke and tobacco-free policies on hospital campuses have become more prevalent across the U.S. and Europe, de-normalizing smoking and reducing secondhand smoke exposure on hospital grounds. Concerns about the increasing use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and the impact of such use on smoke and tobacco-free policies have arisen, but to date, no systematic data describes e-cigarette policies on hospital campuses. The study surveyed all hospitals in North Carolina ( n = 121) to assess what proportion of hospitals have developed e-cigarette policies, how policies have been implemented and communicated, and what motivators and barriers have influenced the development of e-cigarette regulations. Seventy-five hospitals (62%) completed the survey. Over 80% of hospitals reported the existence of a policy regulating the use of e-cigarettes on campus and roughly half of the hospitals without a current e-cigarette policy are likely to develop one within the next year. Most e-cigarette policies have been incorporated into existing tobacco-free policies with few reported barriers, though effective communication of e-cigarette policies is lacking. The majority of hospitals strongly agree that e-cigarette use on campus should be prohibited for staff, patients, and visitors. Widespread incorporation of e-cigarette policies into existing hospital smoke and tobacco-free campus policies is feasible but needs communication to staff, patients, and visitors.

Keywords: electronic cigarettes; smoke-free policy; tobacco products (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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