Health impact of smoking and smoking cessation strategies: current evidence

Smoking continues to be the main preventable cause of death in the UK. Tobacco consumption causes a wide range of diseases and other adverse effects, including multiple types of cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, pregnancy complications, cataracts and osteoporosis. The Government's vision to 'make every contact count' emphasises community nurses' responsibility and key potential to promote healthier living and behaviour. This article reviews the latest evidence on supporting smokers in practice and argues that nurses working in the community are ideally placed to record smoking status, give advice, encouragement and support, refer people to local smoking cessation services and offer pharmacological treatment.