Perspectives

CME Article: Electronic Cigarettes: A Perspective for the Primary Care Physician

Authors: Gina M. Simoncini, MD, Ella Kamal Khan, MD, Mary van den Berg-Wolf, MD

Abstract

An estimated 19% of all American adults, 43.8 million people, smoke cigarettes. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.1 Smoking cessation is known to rapidly reduce the associated health risks. Many smoking cessation tools are available on the market, including nicotine replacement therapy, buproprion, varenicline, and behavioral therapy. Patients have begun to use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) for nicotine delivery. Because of the deadly nature of smoking, the use of e-cigarettes as an aid in smoking cessation needs serious consideration, and physicians need to be informed about their use.

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