Knowledge, Beliefs, Behaviors, and Social Norms Related to Use of Alternative Tobacco Products Among Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Students in an Urban U.S. University Setting

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research study examining the knowledge, beliefs, behaviors, and social norms related to the use of alternative tobacco products (ATPs) among nursing students in an urban university setting. The study aims to identify gaps in nurses' education regarding tobacco cessation counseling and to develop new counseling approaches specific to use of ATPs.

Key Points:

* The study was conducted with all students enrolled in a college of nursing using an anonymous online survey.
* Nursing students demonstrated very low levels of knowledge about ATPs and their health consequences, despite high rates of ATP personal use.
* About 76% of participants reported use of one or more ATPs once or more in their lifetimes.
* A greater proportion of students had used hookahs or water-pipes (39.6%) compared to cigarettes (32.7%).
* Nurses' lack of knowledge about the emerging use and health threats associated with ATPs may undermine their ability to provide appropriate tobacco cessation counseling.
* Research is needed to identify gaps in nurses' education regarding tobacco cessation counseling and to develop new counseling approaches specific to use of ATPs.
* Nurses play critical roles in counseling their patients for tobacco cessation. Further research and education about the risks presented by ATPs are critical to reducing excess tobacco-related mortality.

Main Message:
The study highlights the urgent need for increased education and awareness among nursing students about the health threats associated with ATPs. The lack of knowledge and high rates of personal use of ATPs among nursing students may negatively impact their ability to provide appropriate tobacco cessation counseling to their patients. The study emphasizes the importance of identifying gaps in nurses' education regarding tobacco cessation counseling and developing new counseling approaches specific to use of ATPs to reduce excess tobacco-related mortality.

VanDevanter, Nancy, Sherry Zhou, Carina Katigbak, Madeline Naegle, Scott Sherman, and Michael Weitzman. “Knowledge, Beliefs, Behaviors, and Social Norms Related to Use of Alternative Tobacco Products Among Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Students in an Urban U.S. University Setting.” Journal of Nursing Scholarship 48, no. 2 (March 2016): 147–53. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12192.