Smoking

tlc7116 · Apr 13, 2002

I agree with TraumaRUs. I have never been a smoker, and it is difficult for me to cover for someone who wants to take a break to smoke. I think nurses should set a good example for patients. If you are educating a pt about not smoking, it is probably not appropriate for you to smell like smoke while you are lecturing him/her about quiting. As a nurse, you know the risks to smoking, and that alone should be enough to quit. But, I don't think a facility has the right not to hire you if you are a smoker.

RNforLongTime · Apr 13, 2002

I smoke. Yes, I agree that there are nurses who abuse the smoke breaks, but I am not one of them. I am tired of us being grouped all together. I would never neglect pt care so I can go and smoke. What next? Smoking is bad for my health but so is getting into a car accident. Sure, I CHOOSE to smoke but as an American that is my right. I don't throw my butts all over the place. The World is not my ashtray. When my husband and I go out to dinner with friends that don't smoke, I am courteous and refrain from smoking at dinner. My hubby doesn't smoke. I don't smoke in the house or in his truck. I would never work at a hospital that wouldn't hire nurses who smoke. Are they going to ban Doctors who smoke from working at the hospital? I doubt it.

MollyJ · Apr 13, 2002

I am a non-smoker who has never smoked. I think smoking is gross AND I am glad that I never tried it because I'm pretty sure that I could have gotten good and addicted to it.

I worry about non-smoking becoming correlated with "moral superiority". For one, it is sanctimonious. Also, it's not correct.

However, nurses, if we don't turn and face our own negative health behaviors, how can we ever ask our patients to do the same? All too often on this BB, this becomes the lame-o excuse for "why I don't ask my patients to change their health behaviors: because they have a right to smoke...eat fat...do unsafe sex....share needles....under-treat their own and their kids infections....create an unsafe environment for their children..." ad infinitum

My own negative health behaviors include lack of exercise and a fondness for high fat food. I work on it. It's all I can do. Some days I succeed at better behavior, others I don't (pms week).

I don't think our individual rights are limitless. I don't think our founding fathers intended that they be. When they wrote the bill of rights, they did not intend to right a blank check to cover "prn" and "ad lib" actions that are negative to ourselves and others. At the very minimum, I have obligations to my husband, my kid and my extended family to model positive health behaviors as much as humanly possible.

As someone who works in the school, I frequently contemplate what I need to do to avoid the "do as I say, not as I do" message. It has changed what I do.

To people who smoke, to health professionals who smoke I would say this: My recommendation is that you quit. You know the reasons why. You have the right to pick the time, to decide when that decision is right for you. You are in the decision seat. Maybe other goals and problems more pressing to you right now. When you are ready, I will be ready to congratulate you, support you, listen to you. I, too, have struggled with habits that were hard to change.

Peace to all.

JMP · Apr 13, 2002

Come on people, get with the program. You can not compare smoking with eating too many donuts! Really, everyone KNOWS that. Using it is just an excuse! YOU HAVE TO EAT, but you DO NOT HAVE TO SMOKE.

Smoking kills people. Smoking is a known cancer causing agent. Smoking reduces your life expectancy.

Second hand smoke kills people.

Lets call a spade a spade and then deal with it. We have to face facts or we will never be able to get a grip on this.

We need to start with grade-school aged kids. Educate them. Get them on the team early. Nicotine is SO ADDICTIVE, the tobacco companies know this and they want nothing more than to have the kids start.

Yes, smoking is your right. Do it.......smoke your brains out. Just do not do it around me, my family, your kids or anyone else you care about........... and if you care about yourself, well then, quit.

mdslabod · Apr 14, 2002

To all: I did smoke at one time. While working in an ICU, I aspirated Strep Viridins, developed pnuemonia and an empyema. One Thoracotomy later, I

am now a non smoker and try to talk my co-workers

into quitting. Not being able to breathe is a terrible feeling.

Don't let it happen to you.

MicheleRN

jamistlc · Apr 14, 2002

Originally posted by AngieH2
I think we all know smoking is bad for us. Even if we do it, but should any place be able to not hire a smoker? I understand no smoke breaks and no smoking on the grounds. But you can't work here because you smoke at home! What do you think?

:devil:

We have a hospital that also will not hire smokers in fact they do a drug test for nicotine, this was several years back I think they have mellowed out somewhat now they offer you a smoking cessation class at the time of hire.:zzzzz

nurs4kids · Apr 14, 2002

Originally posted by JMP
Come on people, get with the program. You can not compare smoking with eating too many donuts! Really, everyone KNOWS that. Using it is just an excuse! YOU HAVE TO EAT, but you DO NOT HAVE TO SMOKE.

Smoking kills people. Smoking is a known cancer causing agent. Smoking reduces your life expectancy.
Second hand smoke kills people.

oh, but I CAN compare the two.

You have to eat, but you do NOT have to eat the donuts. Overeating kills people. Obesity is a known to increase cancer risks. Obesity reduces your life expectancy. Obesity increases the insurance premiums for healthy people.

just calling a spade a spade. Let's quit the selective attacking. If it ain't healthy, it ain't healthy whether it's something I do or whether it's something someone else does!

janmae1950 · Apr 14, 2002

Originally posted by NRSKarenRN
AngieH2:

My guess is that smokers later in life occur more medical expenses hence they want to minimize Medical insurance costs they would be paying out....
I'd look elsewhere, who knows what else they will look at down the line...possibly obesity???

Haven't you heard - in California some Senator is proposing that junk food be supertaxed because it causes obesity. Be careful, once the pinheads start thinking up ideas like this, it's only a matter of time before overweight people are treated like smokers.

mario_ragucci · Apr 14, 2002

All this hoopla about having a cigarette. If a person works for 2-4 hours, and wants a cigarette break, whats the big deal. Smoking is about as American as apple pie, baseball and Chevolet. Many people are messed up on much worser things than cigarettes. Look at it as job insurance. Part of an organisms job is to die. With so many people popping this or that, we should all just act mature and just laugh and be serious (play games)

I'm sorry to sound all mindless, but I am coming off my first week of working at a hospital and am all buzzed from standing on my feet constantly and not getting enough sleep :-(

JMP · Apr 14, 2002

Mario

your first week at work, standing on feet, your tired.

I have to disagree with you. But then, I think you already knew that.

Smoking is not as American as apple pie........because here in Canada people smoke too. They really smoke big time in China, Europe, Africa. Actually China and Japan are the cigarette companies last great hope. No mean government suing them and making them comply with ad restrictions.

As a RN I can not look at someone smoking and see it as " part of the organism's job to die". I am not that long out of school, Mario and you will find a big portion of what you are taught under the heading "health PROMOTION".

Yes, people do other bad things. I have had a few pts who where IV DRUG users, for example. Part of my job is to promote health, encourage change, support and foster the right choices. Not to cheer them on towards their drug of choice.

SMoking is different, however, because we all suffer. Kids suffer when parents light up in the house, car........ middle aged adults suffer when they have MI's, agina, COPD, etc. Older adults suffer when they die early, 20 years earlier than they would have without cigs, and leave their widows behind.

I know you must be tired Mario, but get with the program buddy, we need you on our team!

Trauma Columnist · Apr 14, 2002

Wow - what great comments!!!

**SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN** · Apr 14, 2002

originally posted by angieh2
i'm talking about cigarettes,and this hospital will not even look at an applicant if they smoke! and all people must undergo nicotine screening (serum) and i just can't understand why.

your hospital doesn't want to have to pay for smoking related illnesses...which can be costly. it's not right... but you'll have to check with your state labor laws because some areas are a "no right" state...meaning the hospitals can hire - fire at will. :rolleyes: - moe