Today is the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, a day in which tobacco users are encouraged to quit “cold turkey.” Nurses and other healthcare professionals can participate in many ways. Quitting tobacco is one of the best and most effective ways to impact health status.

Make a difference. Assess patients for tobacco use at every visit, and encourage them to quit. If you’re a tobacco user, take the 24-hour challenge, a huge stride in the right direction.