Smoking practices of critical care nurses.

This study examined smoking practices of 499 critical care nurses, their knowledge about the health effects of smoking, and their perceptions regarding responsibility for promoting and supporting antismoking efforts. Approximately 20% of the critical care nurses surveyed were current smokers. Overall, respondents were knowledgeable about the serious consequences of smoking. Although they tended to view themselves as responsible for taking an active role in smoking cessation efforts, they had reservations about their ability to achieve successful outcomes. This information provides a data base for designing smoking cessation strategies for critical care nurses and educational interventions aimed at increasing skills in helping patients cope with the abrupt withdrawal from nicotine imposed by an episode of acute illness.