The impact of tobacco use in women: exploring smoking cessation strategies.

The incidence of lung cancer in women has escalated during the last several decades. Lung cancer death rates in women also have risen and now exceed the number of deaths from breast cancer. Tobacco use accounts for more than 30% of all cancer deaths. Currently, 22 million adult women smoke, and more than 1.5 million adolescent females are smokers (American Cancer Society, 2000a). The use of tobacco by young female adolescents is on the rise, and those who are current smokers typically began smoking prior to high school graduation. Oncology nurses have an opportunity in inpatient and outpatient settings to impact the smoking habits of females, regardless of age. This article presents the guidelines for assisting women in smoking cessation. Clinical implications are presented that all oncology nurses should consider implementing in their practice setting.