• Ask
• Advise
• Assess
• Assist
• Arrange

• Message from the NYS Commissioner of Health
• What Other Clinicians
  are Saying
• Tips on Assisting Your Patients to Quit Smoking SuccessfullyHow Your Local Cessation Center Can Help

Advise

In a clear, strong, and personalized manner, urge every tobacco user to quit. Tailor your advice to the patient's clinical situation.

Clear

"I think it is important for you to quit smoking now and I can help you. Cutting down while you are ill is not enough."

Strong

"As your clinician, I need you to know that quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to protect your health now and in the future. The clinic staff and I will help you."

Personalized

Tie tobacco use to current health/illness, and/or its social and economic costs, motivation level/readiness to quit, and/or the impact of tobacco use on children and others in the household.

*This information is drawn directly from the U.S. DHHS Public Health Guideline for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, June 2000.