22 WFC NEWS
Wh y ch ir opr act or s sh ou ld car e if t h eir pat ien t s sm ok e or u se t obacco Clair e Joh n son , PHC Ch air Chiropractors perform an important role as primary contact health care providers. They have the opportunity to support and promote healthy behaviors for prevention and cessation of tobacco and nicotine product use for their patients and to advocate for public health efforts in their communities. The World Federation of Chiropractic has supported the World Health Organization?s efforts against the deadly and harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine for over two decades. It has recently affirmed a new position statement on tobacco and nicotine use www.wfc.org/posn_tobacco Here are five reasons why chiropractors should care about patients using tobacco: 1. Pu blic h ealt h im por t an ce. Tobacco use is one of the biggest preventable causes of death in the world. It is estimated that 5.4 million people each year die from the effects of tobacco use. Non-users are also exposed through secondhand smoke or tobacco product residue. And, harms from vaping and e-cigarettes are resulting in additional warnings and bans.
4. Du t y as pr im ar y h ealt h car e pr act it ion er s. Our duty as chiropractors includes educating our patients about the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco use. We can use the clinical encounter as an opportunity to educate patients about the negative effects of smoking on spinal health and the benefits of quitting. 5. En h an cin g doct or / pat ien t r elat ion sh ip. Chiropractors have a responsibility to educate patients about the dangers of tobacco and smoking and to connect them with smoking cessation programs. When patients hear a message from multiple sources, including chiropractors, they are more likely to take positive action, which benefits their health and the health of the public. The WFC Public Health Committee encourages all chiropractors to use WHO resources and to share the quitting toolkit with patients.
2. Sign if ican ce f or ch ir opr act ic pat ien t s. People with back pain seek out chiropractors for preventive care, palliative care, and advice. In addition to general health issues, there is evidence that there is an association between smoking and back pain and that smoking has a negative effect on spinal health. 3. Con gr u en cy w it h ch ir opr act ic pr in ciples. Concern with tobacco use fits within the chiropractic principles that include drug-free approach to life and health promotion. Chiropractors should educate patients who smoke and those who may be considering smoking, such as children and teens, about the negative influence that smoking has on health.
Claire Johnson DC, MS, PhD, Chair WFC Public Health Committee