Final answer:
The healthcare professional should educate the student on the health risks of e-cigarettes, discuss their role in potential addiction, and provide resources to help quit vaping.
Step-by-step explanation:
Best Action by the Healthcare Professional
When a 16-year-old student tells a healthcare professional that they smoke e-cigarettes daily, the best action would be to educate them on the potential health risks. The professional should inform the student about the dangers of nicotine addiction, the presence of cancer-causing chemicals such as formaldehyde in e-cigarettes, and the risk of lung diseases like 'popcorn lung' caused by diacetyl in flavored e-cigarettes. It's also crucial to discuss how e-cigarettes can serve as a gateway to smoking tobacco cigarettes. The healthcare provider should emphasize that while e-cigarettes are often marketed as safer alternatives to smoking, they still pose significant health risks and are illegal for minors in many places.
Due to the lack of regulation by the FDA, even products claiming to be free of harmful substances like diacetyl cannot be verified for safety. Additionally, the healthcare professional should consider a plan to help the student quit vaping, including possible referrals to cessation programs, support groups, and other resources. The end goal is to support the student's health and prevent the long-term consequences of continued e-cigarette use.