Exposure to Tobacco Smoke and Beliefs About Smoking Among Nursing Students and Professionals in Spain.

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke are considered to be among the main risk factors in the development of diseases in both children and adults. The role of nurses in identifying a smoker and making them aware of the consequences of smoking to help them to quit is essential. The aim of this study was to analyze the number of students and professionals exposed to tobacco smoke and to determine their opinions on the role of professionals in the prevention and cessation of smoking.

Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire, previously validated, which was distributed to nursing students between March and June 2022 and to nursing professionals between January and March 2023.

Results: The prevalence of smoking was found to be at 14.5% among nursing students and at 19.1% among nursing professionals. A total of 41.1% of the students and 19.4% of the professionals were continuously exposed to tobacco smoke. Furthermore, professionals showed little to no agreement with statements such as "Not contributing to smoky environments" as a reason to quit smoking, "Health professionals act as social role models," and "Smokers pay close attention to the recommendations made by health professionals" with respect to students (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p = 0.018, respectively).

Conclusions: An association was found between tobacco use and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, showing that the creation and maintenance of smoke-free spaces is essential. In addition, smoking students and professionals were found to be less inclined to provide smoking cessation advice to their patients. They further expressed a desire for further training to equip them with the necessary skills to offer such guidance.