Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence

Evidence-based information on first-line pharmacologic therapies and counseling that help patients quit using tobacco is in Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, a Public Health Service clinical practice guideline issued in June 2000. Accurate, up-to-date information and professional assistance are provided in two resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help support people who are trying to quit smoking: You Can Quit Smoking Now. Go to: http://www.smokefree.gov. National Quitline Number: 1-800-QUITNOW.

Second-Hand Smoke

Twenty years ago, the first Surgeon General's report on secondhand smoke created greater awareness across the country about the exposure of nonsmokers to tobacco smoke. This new report provides a fresh perspective on the best available science in this area to better inform policymakers, health professionals, and the public at large.

 The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2006

To help inform kids and adults about how smoking affects children, former National Football League pro Darrell Green talks with third-grade kids about tobacco use.

 Smoking Cessation Public Service Announcements

Tools to Help Smokers Quit

These nationally recognized tobacco cessation tools are designed to encourage clinicians to help their patients quit using tobacco and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Whether the patient's quit day is linked to the Great American Smokeout or a New Year's resolution, AHRQ offers clinicians and consumers a wide array of evidence-based materials online:

Clinician's Packet—Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence—Updated
Consumer Packet—You Can Quit Smoking

This interactive tool is designed to help consumers to prepare to quit smoking. It includes a 5-day countdown to the patient's quit date that can be inserted into a Calendar, as well as a number of helpful resources.

Quit Smoking: Consumer Interactive Tool

How Health Care Providers Can Help

All health care providers, especially those with direct patient contact, have a unique opportunity to help tobacco users quit. Smokers cite a doctor's advice to quit as an important motivator for attempting to stop smoking. Materials to help you help them follow:

Clinical Practice Guideline. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence (PDF file, 1 MB; PDF Help)
Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence
Helping Smokers Quit: A Guide for Nurses—Updated
Clinician's Tearsheet (Personalized Quit Plan)—Updated
      Usted puede dejar de fumar (Spanish)—Updated
Posters (You Can Quit Smoking) (PDF File, 19 KB [PDF Help]; Text Version)

Help for Tobacco Users

You Can Quit Smoking, Consumer Guide
      Usted puede dejar de fumar: Guía del consumidor (Spanish)
You Can Quit Smoking, 5-Day Countdown
      Prepárese en 5 días para dejar de fumar
You Can Quit Smoking, Pocket Card
      Usted puede dejar de fumar (Spanish)
Good Information for Smokers, Easy-to-Read Consumer Booklet—Updated
      Información importante para fumadores—Updated (Spanish)
Help for Smokers: Ideas to Help You Quit
Quitting Helps You Heal Faster, Hospital Card
      Dejar de fumar le ayuda a sanar más rápido (Spanish)
Quit Smoking Products Ordering Information—Updated

Pregnant? Want to Quit?

If you're expecting, quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do for yourself and your baby. When you stop using tobacco products, you will have more energy and breathe more easily. Additionally, your baby will get more oxygen and be more likely to be born at a normal weight.

Clinician's Tearsheet, Prenatal—Updated
      Ayuda para los fumadores embarazados (Spanish)—Updated

How Health Care Systems Can Help

Managed care organizations, hospital administrators, insurers, and health care purchasers are key in implementing a comprehensive means of treating tobacco users. This product looks at the tremendous financial burden of tobacco use on the health care system and why it will take an entire health care system to encourage and support the effective identification and treatment of tobacco users.

Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: A Systems Guide

Evidence Report

The RTI International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center systematically reviews the medical literature on the effectiveness of interventions to prevent tobacco use, the impact of smokeless tobacco marketing on smoking, and directions for future research.

Tobacco Use: Prevention, Cessation, and Control

Want More Information?

In the United States, call the AHRQ Clearinghouse toll-free 800-358-9295, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hearing impaired persons may call 888-586-6340 for the TDD service. Callers from outside of the United States only should use the telephone number (703) 437-2078.

Send requests by E-mail to AHRQPubs@ahrq.hhs.gov.

You can also access and download materials from the Surgeon General's Web site at: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/default.htm

Additional Resources

 Search the healthfinder® Web site for more Smoking Cessation resources.
 Visit the National Women's Health Information Center Web site for a special section: A Breath of Fresh Air! Independence from Smoking.
 Go to the National Library of Medicine for consumer information on Smoking Cessation.

 

Current as of June 2006