Motivating People who use Tobacco to Change

Stopping smoking involves a process of change that takes place in stages over time. It often takes many attempts to quit before a tobacco user achieves long-term success. This “stages of change” model defines five stages in the process of quitting. Your patients will benefit from different intervention approaches at every stage.

IF YOUR PATIENT IS…		THEN YOUR GOAL MIGHT BE TO…
Not thinking about stopping – is neither considering stopping nor actively paying attention to tobacco and health information. Does not see him/herself as vulnerable to health risks.		Raise doubt – and provide strong recommendation to quit. Describe treatment supports available. Repeat at each visit. Provide QuitWorks-NH “Brochure for person who uses tobacco” as a take-home reinforcement of your message.
Thinking about stopping – is actively paying attention to information about the effects of tobacco use and ways to stop.		Identify pros and cons – of continuing to use tobacco in order to tip the balance toward making a quit attempt. Enroll patient in QuitWorks-NH program, provide QuitWorks-NH “Brochure for person who uses tobacco”
Trying to stop – has developed strategies to help him/herself stop.		Support setting a quit date soon Refer to QuitWorks-NH program, provide QuitWorks-NH Welcome Guide enrollment pamphlet.
No longer using tobacco – has been without tobacco for up to six months. This is a crucial period in terms of relapse. Maintaining abstinence – has been without tobacco for over six months and is establishing long-term abstinence.		Prevent relapse – by reviewing benefits of staying quit and of successes experienced. Reiterate help is available if needed. Give QuitNow-NH  phone number (1-800-QUIT-NOW) and website address (www.QuitNowNH.org).
Back to regular smoking – has recycled to any of the first three stages.		Encourage another quit attempt. Re-enroll in the QuitNow-NH program by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW or have them visit the website www.QuitNowNH.org.

Learn more about increasing your patient’s confidence and readiness to quit tobacco through the Helping Patients Quit through Motivational Interviewing Strategies elearning module.