[Nursing interventions with patients who smoke, who are hospitalized with lung diseases]

The need of prevention and diagnosis is particularly perceived in relation to all problems concerning cancer. The cigarette smoke, one of the major preventable causes of disease and mortality, is often underestimated. The Author points out that nurses must assume a major role in the prevention field, as many people apply to them for information and advice. The results of an inquiry carried out in order to know whether and in which way nurses intervene to turn away their patients from smoke, are rather deceiving. A Guide for Action is then proposed with the aim of helping the nurse to care for this kind of patient with more knowledge and awareness.