Nurses' treatment of tobacco dependence in hospitalized smokers in three states

Hospital‐based nurses ( N  = 1,790) from three states reported their interventions to help patients quit smoking. Frequency of nurses' interventions in one low tobacco use state, California ( n  = 651), were compared to nurses' interventions in two high tobacco use states, Indiana ( n  = 720) and West Virginia ( n  = 419). Nurses in California were significantly more likely to Advise smokers to quit (OR 1.34, 95% CI [1.06, 1.69]) and Refer smokers to a Quitline (OR 2.82, 95% CI [1.36, 5.88]) compared with nurses in the high tobacco prevalence states. Other aspects of their interventions did not differ by state. Quitline referral was infrequent (16%) but was quadrupled if nurses arranged for smokers to quit (OR 4.07, 95% CI [3.11, 5.32]). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 35:250–264, 2012