Smoking Cessation

Question 1

After how many years of abstinence will a smoker’s risk become similar to that for people who have never smoked?

Answer 1

15yrs

By quitting between ages 35-39, you can add 3-5 years onto your life.

Question 2

The rule of four

Answer 2

Ask about smoking at all visits

Advise all smokers to quit in a clear, personalized manner that is free of judgemental language. Determine interest and readiness to quit.

Assist with support and education. If they don’t wan to quit, get them to at least think about what you said and consider quitting in the future. Address individual reasons if they give them. At later visits try to move them from disinterest to contemplation to action. **Revisit at each appointment.

Arrange for a quit plan. It is critical to follow up the first few weeks. Include nicotine replacement, bupropion, or Chantix if appropriate. Establish a quit date within 2 weeks. Get rid of ashtrays, cigarettes, and lights before quit date. Call patient on quit date, f/u in 2 weeks adn then regularly for first three months

Question 3

Behavioral modification

Answer 3

Change smoking routines before quit date–especially morning routine to give a break in automatic behaviors

Replacement tools–exercise, flavored toothpicks, gum, carrot sticks, whatever works!

Switch to undesirable brand

Put cigarettes and matches in different and less convenient place

Question 4

Other ideas

Answer 4

Quit with friend/partner to gain support/talk through desire

Avoid certain situations that trigger desire to smoke

Smoking book app–how much money you will save!

If you cannot personally offer support patients, REFER in a timely fashion in early weeks to community services in the area