I appreciated "Sparing a Few Minutes for Tobacco Cessation." The authors' discussion of smoking prevalence and nicotine addiction would have been discouraging were it not for their clear explanation of the steps nurses can take to assist smokers in quitting. I was particularly interested to learn that it takes less than three minutes to intervene. The companion article ("Tobacco Cessation at Greenwich Hospital") left no doubt that nurses can be instrumental in intervening in the clinical setting. I now feel more equipped to help smokers quit. Thank you for providing me with information that will help me to make a difference in the lives of so many.

Anne Durkin, PhD, RN, BC

Rocky Hill, CT