Psychiatric Nurses as Champions for Smoking Cessation Approved by APNA Board of Directors October 14, 2008 Introduction: This paper provides the rationale for the American Psychiatric Nurses~ Association position that Failure to Act on Tobacco Dependence Equals Harm. Partnering with the International Nurses Society on Addiction and the International Society for Psychiatric Nursing, this position advocates and provides direction for, changes in practice and education for nurses caring for patients who smoke, in both specialty and general care settings. The organization recognizes the devastating effects of smoking, especially among the patients/clients served by nurses employed in mental health settings, and seeks to motivate psychiatric nurses to increase their individual provider knowledge and skills, educate students and fellow practitioners, and implement change in employing institutions.

Failure to Act Equals Harm:  The time to act is now. Smoking Cessation Position Statement Clinical Practice Guideline Tobacco Dependence Intervention Manual for Nurses Best Practices Tobacco Dependence Survey Smoking Cessation Leadership Center Smoking Cessation Toolkit Additional Resources

Tobacco Dependence Council Community   APNA members must log in to view members only content.   Tobacco Dependence: Failure to Act = Harm The time to act is now. The American Psychiatric Nurses Association formed a Tobacco Dependence Task Force (now a Council), held a summit, created a partnership with the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center and set a target to increase by 5% every year the 61% of psychiatric nurses surveyed who refer (assist) smokers to treatment and the 29% who provide an intensive intervention.