Table 1.

Experience-based techniques for problem solving (heuristics), potentially leading to suboptimal judgments or outcomes related to the treatment of tobacco dependence

Heuristic	Description	Example
Availability bias	Recent or memorable events hold exceptional sway in decision-making.	A prior frustration with a patient, reluctant to quit despite significant tobacco-related morbidity, influences the clinician’s subsequent assessment of patients’ likelihood of quitting.
Focusing effect bias	Decisions are influenced more by short-term concerns than by long-term goals.	A patient with a history of active smoking and poorly controlled hypertension requires an adjustment to his medication regimen. Initiation of tobacco dependence treatment is forgone in favor of ensuring proper understanding and adherence to antihypertensive medications.
Impact bias	Decisions are unduly influenced by inaccurate projections of future states.	A discussion of available tobacco dependence treatments is avoided out of concern over the potential time commitment required or because of the perceived risk of alienating the patient.
Omission bias	There was a tendency to prefer inaction in an effort to avoid harm, even when inaction may cause greater harm than action.	Treatment with tobacco dependence pharmacotherapy is avoided because of concerns for possible depressed mood side effects.