ABSTRACT
The literature on the prevalence of health hazards faced by law enforcement officers indicates that they are at high risk for several morbid diseases and conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease and cancer. To mitigate these risks, quitting smoking is of the utmost importance. This article focuses on reducing tobacco consumption by law enforcement officers in New York.
Subject(s)
Health Promotion , Law Enforcement , Police , Smoking/legislation & jurisprudence , Social Marketing , Tobacco Industry/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , New York , Occupational Health , Smoking Prevention , Social Control PoliciesABSTRACT
The 1964 US Surgeon General's report was the first from the medical profession to document tobacco as a cause of cancers and other serious illnesses. Over the next 40 years, numerous health care groups have worked to decrease tobacco use and lower the associated morbidity and mortality. Registered nurses are the largest group of health care providers and have one of the highest rates of smoking among health care professionals. As such, registered nurses are an important population to target and treat for nicotine addiction. Hospital-based tobacco control programs can provide nurses and other health care professionals with convenient on-site treatment. The chronic care model provides a useful framework for enhancing tobacco control activities and improving outcomes.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Attitude to Health , Health Care Sector/organization & administration , Organizational Policy , Smoking Prevention , Tobacco Use Disorder/prevention & control , Humans , Nursing Staff, Hospital , Program DevelopmentABSTRACT
The risks to an HIV-infected person who smokes are dramatically amplified compared with the general population. Smoking has been shown to be an independent risk factor for non-AIDS-related mortality in patients who have HIV, even in patients who receive highly active antiretroviral therapy. It has been independently associated with lower scores for quality-of-life indices, such as general health perception, physical functioning, bodily pain, energy, and cognitive functioning. Over time, considering the significant pathology elicited by tobacco, it is hoped that smoking cessation will help reduce the risks of lung disease, heart disease, and neoplastic conditions in patients who have HIV and increase their general sense of well-being.
Subject(s)
HIV Infections/physiopathology , Smoking Cessation , Smoking/adverse effects , Tobacco Use Disorder/complications , HIV Infections/mortality , Humans , Risk Assessment , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Millions of American girls and women have been drawn to smoking by an industry that has been clearly and systematically targeting women of all ages and life circumstances. Tobacco marketing strategies skillfully link cigarette use to typical female values. Biologically speaking, women are especially vulnerable to the legion of health problems of tobacco use. Smoking is a critical hazard for women in their reproductive years, particularly when they are pregnant.
