THE EVOLUTION OF SMOKING IN URUGUAY (2006-2011), THE ROLE OF THE NURSE IN THE PROMOTION OF CESSATION.

Abstract

The tobacco control measures implemented the 1st of March 2006 were associated with a decrease in smoking, according to the data available as of 2008. This study analyzed the evolution of the consumption of tobacco in adults until 2011.
In this descriptive and transversal study, the analysis of the consumption of tobacco was done on the basis of four sources: the chronic disease risk factor poll by the Ministry of Public Health in 2006 (n=2,008), the national smoking poll by CIET in 2008 (n=13,700), the GATS poll by the Public Health Ministry, the Pan American Health Organization and the Disease Control Center of the United States of America in 2009 (n=5,581), and the study of individuals who went to the Preventive Clinics Department of the Ministry of Public Health to get their health card in 2009, 2010 and 2011 (n=56,514).
The prevalence of smoking was 32.7% in 2006, 24.8% in 2008, 25.0% in 2009 and 23.2% in 2009-2011.The consumption of tobacco amongst adults has been reduced in Uruguay since 2006, but the current number of smokers can be reduced even further. Therefore, the nurses’ role is very important, both with outpatients and with hospitalized patients, to contribute in the fight against tobacco consumption.