The nurse as exemplar: smoking status as a predictor of attitude toward smoking and smoking cessation.

The smoking behavior of oncology nurses is of particular concern, not only because of the personal risk, but also because of the negative influence the behavior may have on the public. A survey of 316 female oncology nurses in Texas was conducted to assess smoking prevalence in this sample and the manner in which smoking status impacts the attitudes of these nurses toward their roles as exemplars and advocates for nonsmoking. The prevalence of smoking in this sample of oncology nurses was 7%, with an additional 26.2% being ex-smokers, supporting a downward trend in smoking among oncology nurses. Differences among oncology nurses who were smokers, ex-smokers, or nonsmokers concerning their attitudes toward smoking were investigated. Nonsmokers and ex-smokers showed a more positive attitude toward their roles as exemplars and in counseling the public about the health hazards of smoking.