Tobacco education in US physician assistant programs.

Background: Few health degree programs incorporate sufficient tobacco cessation education in core curricula.

Methods: A national survey of 132 PA programs assessed the extent to which tobacco is addressed, educational methods, perceived importance and adequacy of tobacco education, and perceived barriers to enhancing tobacco-related content.

Results: Surveys (n = 99; 75%) revealed a median of 150 minutes of tobacco education throughout the degree program.