Evaluation of a worksite self-help smoking cessation program for registered nurses

Cigarette smoking among nurses remains a public health concern despite a recent decline in current smoking prevalence. We recruited 149 registered nurses into a no-cost, targeted, self-halp smoking cessation program supplemented by a supportive worksite environmental module. The study was designed to expand understanding of nurses' smoking and to measure program effectiveness. Follow-ups were conducted at one, six and 12 months post-intervention to assess self-reported smoking status (92% objectively validated) and predictors of cessation. Point prevalence abstinence at these time points (22.5%, 21.5% and 19.5%), continuous abstinence (12.7%), and an ever-quit rate of 57% (i.e., quit for at least 48 hours), compare favorably to population quit rates and to rates reported for other self-help programs. Logistic regression analyses were utilized to identify predictors of short-term cessation [time before needing a cigarette, concern regarding the health hazards of smoking, working in a critical care setting, use of targeted weigth manual] and long-term cessation [dosage (inverse relationship), use of standard American Lung Association maintenance manual, working with dying patients, and M.D.s' opposition to upgrading nursing service (inverse relationship)].