Tobacco and nicotine product use patterns among young healthcare professionals in Poland: findings from the qualitative component of the NIKO Study

While healthcare professionals (HCPs) are in many ways the best-positioned promoters of smoking cessation, many of them use tobacco and nicotine products (TNPs), which can undermine their credibility. In this paper, we report a qualitative study undertaken to assess TNPs’ use patterns among young HCPs in Poland. The study involved individual In-Depth Interviews with 20 young HCPs and was conducted as part of the NIKO Study, a broader research project on tobacco and nicotine use in Poland. We used thematic analysis and WEFT-QDA software for data analysis. We identified several key themes related to the use of TNPs and other psychoactive substances, awareness of the harmfulness of TNPs, and future intentions regarding their use. The findings indicate that young HCPs reported using TNPs mainly due to work-related stress and social factors. While some quit smoking, many transitioned to novel products like e-cigarettes, which were often perceived as less harmful and helpful for cessation. Despite awareness of health risks, continued use was common, and some HCPs expressed no intention to quit. The Internet and social media were the primary sources of information about TNPs. This study highlights the need for further education regarding the health risks of TNPs. Since the main reason for using TNPs was work-related stress, there is also a need to promote healthy alternatives for stress reduction and to improve hospital communication and organisational culture. Additionally, access to smoking cessation counselling services for HCPs should be improved.