Smoking Cessation 2: Components of Effective Intervention

Abstract

Smoking cessation treatment is an essential component of comprehensive healthcare, but many healthcare providers lack formal training and are hesitant to provide such intervention. The recently published US Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) Smoking Cessation Clinical Practice Guideline provided epmpirically based recommendations to address these issues. The most effective components of smoking cessation include the use of nicotine replacement therapy, provider support and encouragement, and training in such skills as problem solving and coping. Methods of using these recommendations are illustrated, and sample scripts are offered to serve as references for providers from various disciplines who conduct smoking cessation interventions.

Index Terms:

• behavioral treatment
• disease prevention
• interventions
• nicotine replacement therapy
• smoking cessation
• tobacco

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Janice Y. Tsoh

Drs Tsoh, McClure, and Skaar are postdoctoral fellows in the Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Dr Cinciripini is an associate professor in the Department of Behavioral Science and director of the Tobacco Research and Treatment Program, and Drs Wetter and Prokhorov are assistant professors. Ms Friedman is a counseling psychology graduate student at the University of Houston. Dr Gritz is chairman of the Department of Behavioral Science, Division of Cancer Prevention at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center