Brief Evidence-Based Interventions for Nurse Practitioners to Aid Patients in Smoking Cessation

Smoking remains a leading cause of disease and premature death in the United States. Reduction in illness, disability, and death related to tobacco usage is a Healthy People 2010 goal. Research indicates that smokers who receive assistance with cessation are more likely to have success. Nurse practitioners can assist smokers by implementing interventions based upon clinical practice guidelines sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These guidelines feature 5 “As” (ask, assess, advise, assist, and arrange) and 5 “Rs” (relevance, risk, rewards, roadblocks, repetition), which provide a logical framework for supporting smoking cessation efforts and improving success.