Providers' Corner

The following information is presented for use by professionals who provide tobacco cessation and prevention services to Maryland residents.

This website's primary goal is to assist professionals who help Maryland tobacco users quit smoking and prevent the initiation of tobacco use among non-users. To meet this goal, we will provide:

Updated information to help guide your current practice
Tools to help motivate your clients
A location where you can review current books, brochures, and materials, as well as obtain information on how to order such materials

Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence (TTUD)¹, a clinical practice guideline, was published to assist clinicians in implementing effective treatments for cessation. This guideline recommends that all clinicians should have a systematic routine for identifying smokers. There are five steps involved in providing a minimal intervention, called the "5 As". These steps are:

1 ASK:: Ask about tobacco use at every visit.
2 ADVISE:: Even brief advice to quit from a health professional can result in greater smoking abstinence rates.
3 ASSESS:: After providing a clear, strong, and personalized message to quit smoking, the provider determines whether or not the patient is willing to quit at this time.
4 ASSIST:: Aid the client in his or her quit attempt can be done using either a brief or an intensive intervention.
5 ARRANGE:: Arranging follow-up contact is the final step in treating tobacco use and dependence.

To find information that may be specific to your needs, please click on one of the following sections:

Fax to Assist

See Fax to Assist for more information on our Fax Referral Program.

References:

¹ Fiore, M.C., Bailey, W.C., Cohen, S.J., Dorfman, S.F., Goldstein, M.G., Gritz, E.R., et al. (2000). Treating tobacco use and dependence-Clinical practice guideline. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services.