Health Care Professionals
Leading By Example
Tobacco dependence is a chronic health condition that often requires multiple, discrete interventions by a clinician or team of clinicians. The “Ask, Advise, Refer” model of treating tobacco dependence is a useful way to understand tobacco dependence treatment and organize the clinical team to deliver that treatment.
The "Ask, Advise, Refer" model for treating tobacco use and dependence
Ask about tobacco use (smoking, chewing, or other)
· Identify and document tobacco use (smoking, chewing, or other) status of every patient at every visit.
· Determine if client is current, former, or never tobacco user.
· Determine what form of tobacco is used.
· Determine frequency of use.
Advise to quit
· In a clear, strong and personalized manner, urge every tobacco user to quit.
· The provider should emphasize the importance of quitting before health problems arise or worsen and tie tobacco use to current health/illness status, impact on children and others in the home, and costs.
Refer:
· Assist those interested in quitting by providing information on:
· Statewide or national quitlines, websites and local cessation programs.
· Request written permission to fax contact information to a cessation quitline or program. Inform the client that cessation program staff will provide follow-up.
· Document referral
· Arrange follow-up visit and/or schedule a phone call
The "Ask, Advise, Refer" model for treating tobacco use and dependence
Ask about tobacco use (smoking, chewing, or other)
· Identify and document tobacco use (smoking, chewing, or other) status of every patient at every visit.
· Determine if client is current, former, or never tobacco user.
· Determine what form of tobacco is used.
· Determine frequency of use.
Advise to quit
· In a clear, strong and personalized manner, urge every tobacco user to quit.
· The provider should emphasize the importance of quitting before health problems arise or worsen and tie tobacco use to current health/illness status, impact on children and others in the home, and costs.
Refer:
· Assist those interested in quitting by providing information on:
· Statewide or national quitlines, websites and local cessation programs.
· Request written permission to fax contact information to a cessation quitline or program. Inform the client that cessation program staff will provide follow-up.
· Document referral
· Arrange follow-up visit and/or schedule a phone call
Additional Resources
Click on the following links for more information:
Get Free Program (A tobacco quit product financial aid program for Washington County residents)
Phone & Internet Resources (Local, phone, and internet-based programs to help quit tobacco)
Tobacco Quit Products available in other counties (Tobacco quit product financial aid programs in other counties)
Veterans/Medicaid/Medicare resources for tobacco quit product (Tobacco quit product financial aid programs for people receiving Veterans, Medicaid and Medicare benefits)
Centers for Disease Control: Smoking and Tobacco Use (Comprehensive information on quitting tobacco, Clinical Practice Guidelines, Surgeon General’s Reports, research, etc.)
Additional printable resources (Tobacco Free information and printable resources)
Get Free Program (A tobacco quit product financial aid program for Washington County residents)
Phone & Internet Resources (Local, phone, and internet-based programs to help quit tobacco)
Tobacco Quit Products available in other counties (Tobacco quit product financial aid programs in other counties)
Veterans/Medicaid/Medicare resources for tobacco quit product (Tobacco quit product financial aid programs for people receiving Veterans, Medicaid and Medicare benefits)
Centers for Disease Control: Smoking and Tobacco Use (Comprehensive information on quitting tobacco, Clinical Practice Guidelines, Surgeon General’s Reports, research, etc.)
Additional printable resources (Tobacco Free information and printable resources)
