Smoking cessation

Question 1

What are the 5As?

Answer 1

• ask
• advise
• assess
• assist
• arrange follow up

Question 2

ASK

Answer 2

• do you smoke?
• how many do you smoke a day?
• what do you smoke (ie rollies, cigarettes)
• when do you first light up?
• are you interested in quitting or cutting down?
• would you like help to quit?
• have you tried to quit previously? if so, have you used any thing to aid your quit attempt?

Question 3

ADVISE

Answer 3

• are you aware of the health benefits of quitting?
• quitting smoking is the single most effective way to improve health
• reduces chance of lung cancer, heart disease, oral cancer, gum disease and improves staining of teeth
• if you’ve attempted to quit before it improves your chance of quitting this time, as it is not easy to do

Question 4

ASSESS

Answer 4

• are you interested in quitting?
• do you feel ready to quit?
• life circumstances that may impact readiness

Question 5

ASSIST

Answer 5

• review the previous failed attempts to anticipate problems
• inform patient of NRT and services available (Quit your way, GP)
• suggest involving family and friends
• talk about when the quit will happen (date)

Question 6

ARRANGE FOLLOW UP

Answer 6

• arrange referral to patients preferred service
• support and encourage patient at future appointments

Question 7

Examples of NRT

Answer 7

• gum
• inhaler
• skin patches
• mouth spray
• lozenges

Question 8

Examples of drug to aid smoking cessation

Answer 8

• champix (varenicline) - WITHDRAWN DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS
• Zyban (bupropion)

Question 9

What should you tell patients about e-cigs?

Answer 9

• there is not sufficient evidence for e-cigs to say that they are completely safe
• current evidence suggests that they are less lethal than tobacco so are a good alternative
• quit all together would be the goal