Question: How do physicians communicate with their patients about e-cigarettes?

Findings: In this cross-sectional survey of 2058 respondents, physicians who were asked about e-cigarettes by their patients, endorsed a harm-reduction perspective, or had ever smoked were more likely to recommend e-cigarettes to patients. In hypothetical clinical scenarios, physicians were more likely to recommend e-cigarettes for an older heavy smoker with prior unsuccessful quit attempts and use of pharmacotherapy for a younger light smoker with no prior cessation treatments.

Meaning: Results of this survey study suggest that physicians are recommending e-cigarettes for cessation or harm reduction under certain risk-based circumstances, such as treating patients with tobacco-related disease.