NAP Position Statement on Tobacco Use and Dependence

Consistent with the understanding that tobacco dependence is a substance use disorder associated to significant health risk, nurses who practice in addiction treatment settings are accountable for supporting NYS OASAS Regulation Part 856-Tobacco Free Services. In collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary team, addictions nurses use evidence-based treatments and nursing theory to prevent tobacco use and treat tobacco dependence.

Nurses are responsible for assessing all clients regarding tobacco use, advising clients to quit and assessing readiness to quit. Nurses also are responsible for delivering evidence-based tobacco dependence interventions including the utilization and monitoring of pharmacotherapy to aid tobacco abstinence, problem-solving and skills building through client-centered recovery-focused counseling, and the mobilization of social support. Nurses are accountable for documenting the tobacco use status of all clients. They may also document the clients’ goals regarding tobacco dependence as well as describing nursing interventions employed to support clients in reaching their goals and the outcomes of such interventions. With respect to primary prevention initiatives, nurses are responsible for educating all clients about the health risks of tobacco use and dependence.