Doctors and dentists employed in HSE hospitals and clinics are ill-equipped to advise patients on stopping smoking because they have such poor knowledge about quit services.
A new study has found less than a third of them are even aware of Quitline, the national no-smoking helpline.
It also found high rates of smoking among HSE support staff, with 24.7pc of these grades lighting up compared to 21.7pc of the general population.
The study by the HSE's health intelligence unit comes as it plans to stop anyone from using an e-cigarette inside or outside health facilities from May 1.
An e-cigarette has none of the harmful chemicals of a regular cigarette but it can deliver a nicotine hit to the smoker.
Many believe e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to regular tobacco. But HSE director of health and wellbeing Dr Stephanie O'Keefe said "it can only recommend safe and effective products and strategies" for quitting smoking.
She added: "There is currently no conclusive evidence that e-cigarettes are safe for long-term use, or are effective as a smoking cessation aid.
Source: Eilish O'Regan, Irish Independent, 25/04/14
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