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Smoking Cessation Intervention - 4 A’s Program

Ask about tobacco use at every contact with clients
Advise all tobacco users to consider quitting
Assist according to client readiness/stages of change
Arrange offer to arrange for follow-up/referral

ASK

Have you used any tobacco products in the last 6 months?

ADVISE

As your health care provider, the most important advice I can give you is to stop smoking.

ASSIST
INTERVENTION

MINIMAL INTENSIVE
  • referral to community resources
  • self-help material
  • referral to other health care providers
  • Smokers’ Helpline 1-877-513-5333
  • pros and cons
  • past experiences
  • stages of change
  • feelings & meaning of smoking
  • challenges and triggers
  • pharmacotherapy options
  • encourage and support
  • set a quit date

ARRANGE

Offer to arrange for follow-up or referral to smoking cessation program

Smoking Cessation - Stages of Change  

Assess client’s readiness to change and utilize the appropriate intervention.

Offer to arrange for follow-up or referral for clients in each stage of change as appropriate.

Pre-contemplation – Not thinking of quitting in the next 6 months.

Goals: Help client think about quitting.
Ask about feelings, pros and cons. Offer information.
Assist: Offer resources

Contemplation – Thinking of quitting in the next 6 months.

Goal: Help client move towards quitting soon. Increase self-confidence.
Ask about barriers to change. Explore creating smoke free spaces.

Preparation – Planning to quit in the next month.

Goal: Help client develop quitting skills.
Advise by identifying barriers to stopping and finding solutions.
Assist by providing information, devising an action plan, setting a quit date in the next 2 weeks and discuss NRT and/or pharmacotherapy.

Action – Quit in the last 6 months.

Goal: Help client not to smoke and understand slips and relapses.
Ask re: relapse prevention plan, triggers, successes, NRT and/or pharmacotherapy use.
Assist with resources/referrals, developing social support network.

Maintenance – Quit for more than 6 months.

Ask about planning for the future.
Advise on issues raised by client, reinforcing health benefits.
Assist with preparation for difficult situations.

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