Counseling Parents to Quit Smoking
Counseling Parents to Quit Smoking
It is estimated that 20%-50% of adult smokers reside with children, and the majority of these smokers (70%) continue to smoke inside their homes despite the adverse health effects of second hand smoke (SHS) for their children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1997). Smoking is more prevalent among parents with lower incomes and less education (U.S. Surgeon General's Report, 2002a). Young persons, ages 20-40 in the family child-rearing stage, are more likely to be smokers. However, they usually have less time and financial resources for quitting smoking. To prevent the adverse health effects of SHS for children, pediatric nurses must provide parents with accurate information on affordable smoking cessation education resources. Evidenced-based smoking cessation guidelines, the cost and efficacy of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmacological aids, and essential counseling tips for parents are reviewed.
Estimates on the number of U.S. adult smokers residing with children range from 20%-50%. The majority (70%-95%) of these smokers continue to smoke inside their homes and cars despite the adverse health effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure to their children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 1997). Smoking among parents and caregivers is a major public health problem for several reasons: (a) smokers are subjected to the adverse health effects of smoking; (b) children of smokers are exposed to the adverse health effects of ETS; (c) there is increased risk for residential fires, and (d) parents who smoke are more likely to have children that smoke. To protect non-smokers, many states and cities have or are currently enacting legislation for smoke-free public domains. Con sequently, smokers will be restricted to smoking in their homes resulting in increased ETS exposure for their children.
Most parents want to quit smoking, but they need professional assistance with the cessation process. Sheahan, Free, and Rayens (2003) found that 74% of low-income women wanted to quit smoking and indicated they would take advantage of a cessation program. Pediatric nurses, as advocates for children, are in a strategic position to assist parents in the smoking cessation process. Because most primary child caregivers are female and most participants in the 19 studies on child ETS exposure were females (Gehrman & Hovell, 2002), this article will focus on the slightly modified subtle smoking cessation strategies needed for females. Most of the evidenced-based strategies are equally effective with males.
It is estimated that 20%-50% of adult smokers reside with children, and the majority of these smokers (70%) continue to smoke inside their homes despite the adverse health effects of second hand smoke (SHS) for their children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1997). Smoking is more prevalent among parents with lower incomes and less education (U.S. Surgeon General's Report, 2002a). Young persons, ages 20-40 in the family child-rearing stage, are more likely to be smokers. However, they usually have less time and financial resources for quitting smoking. To prevent the adverse health effects of SHS for children, pediatric nurses must provide parents with accurate information on affordable smoking cessation education resources. Evidenced-based smoking cessation guidelines, the cost and efficacy of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmacological aids, and essential counseling tips for parents are reviewed.
Estimates on the number of U.S. adult smokers residing with children range from 20%-50%. The majority (70%-95%) of these smokers continue to smoke inside their homes and cars despite the adverse health effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure to their children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 1997). Smoking among parents and caregivers is a major public health problem for several reasons: (a) smokers are subjected to the adverse health effects of smoking; (b) children of smokers are exposed to the adverse health effects of ETS; (c) there is increased risk for residential fires, and (d) parents who smoke are more likely to have children that smoke. To protect non-smokers, many states and cities have or are currently enacting legislation for smoke-free public domains. Con sequently, smokers will be restricted to smoking in their homes resulting in increased ETS exposure for their children.
Most parents want to quit smoking, but they need professional assistance with the cessation process. Sheahan, Free, and Rayens (2003) found that 74% of low-income women wanted to quit smoking and indicated they would take advantage of a cessation program. Pediatric nurses, as advocates for children, are in a strategic position to assist parents in the smoking cessation process. Because most primary child caregivers are female and most participants in the 19 studies on child ETS exposure were females (Gehrman & Hovell, 2002), this article will focus on the slightly modified subtle smoking cessation strategies needed for females. Most of the evidenced-based strategies are equally effective with males.
