Still Smoking

Ok to make a long story short, I am smoking again. I tried to use the newest quit smoking drug on the market (Champix) and the side-effects were absolutely not worth it. When this drug had a chance to build up in my system (6-weeks) combined with a normal dose of PMS; I became an angry-crazy-woman. So, I quit quitting and took back my sanity.

I have always felt that a nurse should be a role model of health, healthy lifestyle etc. Isn’t this what we preach to our patient’s? I was told once by one of my favorite instructors during my LPN program that nurses are preventative (sterile procedure) and doctors are curative (don’t care if the wound gets infected, that’s what antibiotics are for). In keeping with this theory a nurse’s role is to help people prevent those diseases that are preventable. We know the risk factors most common in numerous preventable conditions and we teach them to others, patients, family etc.

Ok, this is what I’m getting at, if I am in a profession of prevention, Healthy lifestyle etc. Then what the heck am I doing smoking? Yes, every time I smoke a cigarette I feel like I am not only letting myself and my family down, but I am also letting my profession down. How can I be a part of teaching healthy lifestyle and smoking cessation while I continue to smoke?




I know I’m not the only nurse that smokes, there are still many of us out there; but in my experience we are a dying breed. I know a lot of ex-smoker nurses. HOORAY for them. I take my hat off to them because this is something that I am really really struggling with.


I took a look at some literature.I discovered a recent article about nurses in Turkey who smoke it states that more than half of the nurses in Turkey are smokers, WOW!!! I was not able to find any research on nurses in Canada who smoke, but I’m sure the statistic are not nearly as high. Like I suggested the article stated “nurses have a special opportunity to influence the health of people. The nurse should act as a role model by not smoking....Nurses are strongly encouraged to provide people information about the hazards of tobacco and strategies for avoiding tobacco use.”(Kutlu, 2008)



I plan to devote a portion of my blogging to Smoking Cessation, as it is something I am struggling with and the more information I have the better. Maybe if I bombard myself with anti-smoking info I will finally quit. (I’ve been smoking for over 24 years and I will quit!!!)

You’re welcome to check out any of the links I include on my site and also if you come across a great link let me know so I can add it.

My final statement to anyone who takes the time to read this is IF YOU SMOKE QUIT, IF YOU DON’T PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DON’T START!!!!! And to all nurses please help to educate people on the HAZARDS of smoking.

Kutulu, R. (2008). Evaluation of the frequency and factors affecting smoking among nurses. Gulhane Tip Dergisi. 50 65-70 Retrieved October 31, 2008 from www.gulhanemedicaljournal.org/ pdf.php3?id=413 -