Publication
Encouraging smokers to stop: what you can do
How to use this guide
This guide is for all health professionals who see smokers during the course of their work. Raising the issue of smoking and giving the brief advice outlined in this guide will only take a few minutes of your time.
This guide is for you to use during your routine consultations with smokers. To keep it as clear as possible‚ qualifying phrases like — if possible‚ if you have time‚ when appropriate — should be taken as read; we have kept them to an absolute minimum. The guide has been designed so that you can scan it quickly and easily find the section you need.
Why your role is so important explains why it is so worthwhile for you to raise the issue.
Flow chart takes you through the basic steps involved in advising smokers. If necessary you can use it by itself. The What you can do: a step-by-step guide section is based on the structure of the flowchart. briefly describes the products that should be used as part of a smoker’s quit attempt.
Smoking cessation services and further help gives information on services and further support‚ and The health risks summarises information you can give briefly to smokers unaware of the dangers of smoking.
The lung function diagram on the inside back cover can be used to show smokers Why it is worth stopping.
The wording of the suggested questions to smokers are for guidance only. Use words you feel comfortable with.
This guide is based on systematic reviews of the evidence‚ outlined in the Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Scotland: 2004 Update‚ published by Health Scotland and ASH Scotland and available at www.healthscotland.com/tobacco. Any treatments not mentioned in this guide either have insufficient evidence of effectiveness‚ or are not regarded as first-line treatments.