title: How are the English Stop Smoking Services responding to growth in use of electronic cigarettes?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess extent of electronic cigarette use by smokers attending Stop Smoking Services, the advice given about electronic cigarettes and whether this usage is recorded.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-eight managers and 1284 practitioners completed an online survey. Questions covered use of electronic cigarettes, the advice given and whether use was recorded in client databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety per cent (n=1150) and 95% (n=1215) of practitioners respectively, reported that their clients were using electronic cigarettes and that they had been asked about them. Seventy-one per cent (n=41) of managers reported that they had a policy on the advice to be given; of whom 85% (n=35) said that practitioners should say that products were unlicensed. Fifty-five per cent (n=707) of practitioners reported giving such advice and 11% (n=138) said they warned smokers about their safety. Only 9% (n=119) reported that they recorded clients' use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although use of electronic cigarettes by smokers in Stop Smoking Services is common, few provisions are in place to record their use. Practitioners mostly advise that products are not licensed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need to consider additional training for practitioners on use of e-cigarettes and harm reduction generally to ensure that advice is consistent and evidence-based.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, UK; National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training, London, UK. Electronic address: e.beard@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beard
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training, London, UK; UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies (UKCTAS), Addictions, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Leonie S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Brose
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, UK; National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training, London, UK.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, UK; National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training, London, UK.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McEwen
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000639:trends*; D004739:England; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Electronic cigarettes; Practitioners; Smoking; Stop Smoking Services