One of the first of its kind to focus exclusively on treating patients dependent on tobacco, Mayo Clinic's Nicotine Dependence Center has helped more than 50,000 people since its inception.

In honor of National Nurses Week in the United States (May 6-12), Global Bridges features the work of nurses and their role in tobacco dependence treatment.

"If a country or system delivers wider tobacco control functions (eg telling more people to stop/not start smoking) but does not provide evidence based treatment for tobacco dependence – ie a service that demonstrably saves lives – that is simply unethical. It’s like saying that we shouldn’t treat heart disease but simply tell people to lead healthier lives."

"mHealth allows us to significantly increase the reach of our interventions in a  cost-effective way. Equally important, the functionality of mHealth programs allows us to increase engagement in treatment in unique ways."

"We treat smokers who want to quit smoking. This is the only center in the country that operates full time just for smokers."

Scott Leischow of Global Bridges created the quitline in Arizona as the third state quitline in the U.S. This type of community-based approach broadens the reach of tobacco dependence treatment.

Nurses can do more in the tobacco control arena. The potential is yet to materialize, and the Global Network of Tobacco Control Nurses will allow nurses to reach critical mass as a group, share research and obtain evidence, and ultimately use such evidence to influence policymakers.

"The Global Network of Tobacco Control Nurses will be a starting place for nurses who have an interest in and the enthusiasm to help people quit smoking."

"Our top priority is to work within the framework of Global Bridges' mission and foster a network of health care providers who are capable of treating tobacco dependence among the Eastern Mediterranean region population."

"... A country cannot succeed at controlling tobacco unless many partners — government agencies and ministries, private and non-governmental organizations, and the public — are involved, make it a priority and work together."

"Ultimately, our research helps ensure that we're always using the most effective treatment strategies with patients in the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center's Treatment Program."

"During the course, attendees gained not only lots of new knowledge, but also the confidence that they can help people successfully quit smoking."

"I really enjoy teaching, especially when I can use our tobacco models with the general public."

"When we look at the evolution of tobacco control in Latin America, we can say that the impossible can come true."

"Nurses would become more involved if we developed gender-sensitive interventions that take into account peoples' everyday lives and challenges."