Introduction: Australian general practitioners (GPs) are given the authority to prescribe nicotine e-liquid to their patients who are intending to use e-cigarettes as a form of smoking cessation.

Aim: Understand the views, thoughts, concerns and attitudes Australian GPs have on the use of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid.

Methods: A qualitative study design was employed. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants from a larger survey study. Questions in the interview guide were created based on a systematic review of the literature and issues emerging from the survey findings.

Results: We interviewed 13 GPs (M:6, F:7) across Australia. There were mixed views around using e-cigarettes to quit smoking as some recommend e-cigarettes to older established smokers and to smokers that are unable to quit using alternative methods, whilst others didn?t believe there was sufficient evidence to help patients quit smoking. GPs felt the policy in Australia around prescribing e-cigarettes was not sufficiently established which impacted their intentions to act given the lack of clarity. Some GPs disagreed with the current prescribing laws and didn?t understand why it should be a GPs role to prescribe e-cigarettes to patients. Overall, more information and training was desired amongst this group in order for them to comfortably and confidently prescribe e-cigarettes to patients.

Conclusion: The findings from this study indicate that Australian GPs have mixed views about the potential role e-cigarettes can play in smoking cessation. GPs require professional development and policy clarity in order to gain confidence in using e-cigarettes as part of a smoking cessation plan.