Smoking cessation: a role for every practitioner.

Despite the long-term efforts of governments and health professionals, smoking is still the single most important public health problem in the UK today. The addictiveness of nicotine means that very few unsupported attempts to quit are successful. This article provides an overview of the public health implications of smoking in the UK, the benefits of stopping smoking, and examines what community nurses can do to help and support people who want to quit.