Ask

ASK

Systematically identify all tobacco users at every visit

It is important for both the physician and the patient to realize that stopping smoking is a process that thakes place over time, rather than a single event. The smoker moves through stages from being uninterested in stopping, to making a concerted effort to stop, to finally maintaining abstinence. Many patients will not stop smoking the first, second, third time they are counseled to do so. In fact, for many people, the likelihood of successful quitting begins to increase only after their fourth attempt to stop smoking. For these reasons, the physician should ask every patient about tobacco use in every office visit.

Systematically identify all tobacco users at every visit, expanding vital signs to include tobacco use status.

VITAL SIGNS
Blood Pressure:________________
Pulse:_____ Resp. Rate_____
Tobacco: Current Former Never
(circle one)

ASK ABOUT:
- "Do you smoke?"
- "Do you have family or friends who smoke?"
- Sports or other activities that are not compatible with smoking.
- "Are you interested in stopping smoking?"
- "Have you ever tried to stop before?" If so, "What happened?"
- Have all identified smokers complete a brief Patient Smoking Assessment Form.