MĀORI NURSES AND SMOKING; CONFLICTED IDENTITIES AND MOTIVATIONS FOR SMOKING CESSATION.

This research aims to design and test the feasibility of an intervention promoting smoking cessation, and reducing smoking relapse, among Māori nurses who smoke. It is being conducted in two phases. Phase one, a national web-based survey, conducted in December 2012, explored the views of Māori nurses (smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers) regarding smoking. This paper reports on the analysis of qualitative responses from 410 nurses and nursing students identifying as Māori who completed an online survey. Five themes were identified: beliefs about smoking; "for our tamariki"; personal stories of quitting; dissatisfaction with current approaches; and plans for future strategies. The findings confirm that nurses who smoke may experience feelings of conflict, and regard their behaviour as inconsistent with their role as nurses and health promoters. Nurses who smoke must be supported to become, and to stay, smokefree. Tailored Māori-specific cessation initiatives are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]