Most patients know smoking is bad for their health, but quitting is often easier said than done. If you have patients who smoke, be sure to emphasize not only the grave dangers of continuing smoking, but also the tremendous benefits of quitting.
Clinical Intervention:
Obtain documentation of history of tobacco use
Ask whether smoker is willing to quit
If no, initiate brief, motivational discussion regarding:
The need to stop using tobacco
Risks of continued use
Encouragement to quit, as well as support when ready
If yes, assess preference for and initiate either minimal, brief, or intensive cessation counseling.
Risk factors for coronary artery disease in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus: United Kingdom prospective diabetes study (UKPDS: 23). BMJ. 1998;316:823-828.
