Smoking cessation

Question 1

What is the brief advice to stop smoking

Answer 1

• Intended to be quick and simple, not awkward
• Takes less than 30 seconds in most cases
• Opportunistic
• Satisfies ‘Quality and Outcomes Framework’ criteria
• Don’t tell smokers to just stop, ask how much they smoke and if they want to stop

Question 2

What are the 3 steps

Answer 2

1. Ask - establish and record a smoking status
   - Do you smoke? Do you still smoke?
2. Advise - advise on how to stop
   - Best way to stop is by support and medication, Trained stop smoking advisors can provide support.
3. Act - offer help
   - NHS smoking helpline, NHS smoke-free website

Question 3

What to do if the patient is not interested

Answer 3

It is fine, help is always on offer when they’re ready

Question 4

What should you do if a patient begins to open up about their smoking history

Answer 4

Advise it would be better to make a dedicated appointment - cannot be dealt with in a hurry

Question 5

What should you do if repeating brief advice is not successful

Answer 5

Don’t stop giving regular advice