Tobacco cessation and control policy is one of the health policies that oncology nurses have been actively involved in. Tobacco use has posed a great threat to the health of users in both developed and developing countries. It has contributed to about 30% overall cancer deaths and about 80% of the deaths that are a result of lung cancer. It has lead to the development of many cancer types, raising alarm among the oncology nurses.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology(ASCO), which is a leading organization representing physicians who are involved in treatment of cancer and research based on the same has been dedicated in preventing cancer, which is caused by tobacco smoking (Hanna, Mulshine, Wollins, Tyne & Dresler, 2011).Their aim, through tobacco cessation and control policy, is to promote quick reduction and complete elimination of diseases that are related to tobacco use in the whole world.

According to Hanna et al (2011), a policy statement was released by ASCO in 2003 that outlined the recommendations for tobacco use reduction and urged individuals to be responsible in eradicating the use of tobacco, either domestically or globally. The oncology nurses admitted that it was their role to address what tobacco use could result in, and help patients with cancer stop smoking.

A high number of people who suffer from cancer and other diseases caused by tobacco are less privileged. The tobacco cessation and control policy have been integrated into Affordable care Act to ensure that the underserved individuals are provided with good cancer care (Moy et al., 2011). ACA addresses issues related to tobacco, directly or indirectly. It establishes a requirement that pregnant women be provided with drug therapies without sharing the cost, to reduce the risk of cancer to the newborns (Moy et al., 2011). It has policies like insurance reforms and lowering of economic barriers to sophisticated health care.

References

Hanna, N., Mulshine, J., Wollins, D., Tyne, C., & Dresler, C. (2011). Tobacco cessation and control a decade later: American Society of Clinical Oncology policy statement update. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 31(25), 3147-3157.

Moy, B., Polite, B., N., Halpern, M., T., Stranne, S., K., Winer, E., P., Wollins, D., S., & Newman, L., A. (2011). American Society of Clinical Oncology policy statement: Opportunity in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to reduce cancer care disparities. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 29(28), 3816-3824.