Introduction: There has been limited studies among general practitioners (GPs) in Turkey regarding their perceptions of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids.

Aims: Examine Turkish GPs knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and recommendations to patients on e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids.

Methods: An online survey was distributed via email to 3600 GPs within Istanbul between August to October 2022. Participants were recruited from a list of family practice clinics provided by the Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate. Questions assessing knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and recommendations on e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid were analysed.

Results: 243 partial responses were received from male (47.3%) and female (51.9%) GPs with an average age of 42 years. Most GPs disagreed that e-cigarettes were suitable smoking cessation aids for patients (n=169, 78%), or safer than regular cigarettes (n=165, 77%). Many GPs agreed that e-cigarettes were a gateway to smoking (n=153, 70.5%), addictive (n=166, 76.5%) and harmful to the health of the user (n=162, 75.3%). Approximately 60% of GPs stated they are not confident in their level of knowledge and ability to answer patients questions or talk to patients about e-cigarettes. GPs would not recommend e-cigarettes to patients that refuse to take alternative treatments (n=121, 61.4%) or to patients that have failed to quit using other methods (n=118, 59.9%).

Conclusion: General practitioners in Istanbul do not recommend e-cigarettes as a form of smoking cessation. They lack knowledge and confidence when conveying information on e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid and do not believe e-cigarettes to be an effective or safe alternative to quit smoking.