Smoking among women: a life cycle perspective on which to base prevention/cessation interventions.

Smoking among women continues at high rates despite the severe health consequences that may result for these women and for their children. A conceptual model identifying core factors that influence the onset and development of smoking and its cessation and continued abstinence was developed and provides a framework for understanding women's smoking behavior. This model examines a number of smoking-related health consequences that occur during the woman's life cycle and proposes suggestions for assessment and nursing intervention.