Nurses Can Help Patients By Taking A Stand Against Smoking

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Article Date: 19 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Nicotine is one of the most heavily used addictive drugs in the United States, and more than one in five people use some form of the drug (cigarettes, cigars, pipes and chewing tobacco). Despite the fact that research consistently indicates tobacco use or exposure to tobacco smoke is harmful, new smokers initiate smoking each day. In the June 2008 issue of MEDSURG Nursing, Paul C. Lewis describes the prevalence of tobacco use and the challenges associated with smoking cessation.

The younger adolescents begin to use tobacco, says Lewis, the heavier their usage as adults is likely to be. Cessation efforts have focused on quitting, but because nicotine is recognized as a highly addictive drug, nicotine abstinence (staying away from tobacco completely) is now recognized as the most effective way to stop smoking. Any reduction in smoking or days of abstinence reduces health consequences, says Lewis.

One method that has consistently helped people stop smoking is talking, and Lewis says this is an area where nurses can help. Medical-surgical nurses can play a significant role in getting patients to quit just by educating them about the dangers of tobacco use and offering assistance to quit. By following up and encouraging patients, nurses can take a stand against this significant national health threat.

"Tobacco: What Is It and Why Do People Continue to Use It?"
Paul C. Lewis, PhD, FNP-C, RN
MEDSURG Nursing; June 2008; www.medsurgnurse.org

MEDSURG Nursing - The Journal of Adult Health