Table 3.

The “5A’s” model for treating tobacco use and dependence [29].

Intervention	Description
Ask	Implement a system to ensure that all patients are asked their tobacco use status at every visit.
Advise	Urge every tobacco user to quit. Advice should be clear, strong, and personalized Clear—“I think it is important for you to quit smoking now and I can help you.” Strong—“As your clinician, I need you to know that quitting smoking is the most important thing you can do to protect your health now and in the future.” Personalized—“Continuing to smoke makes your asthma worse, and quitting may dramatically improve your health.”
Assess	Assess every tobacco user’s willingness to quit smoking. If the patient is willing to make a quit attempt, provide assistance. If the patient will participate in an intensive treatment, deliver or refer treatment. If the patient clearly states he or she is unwilling to quit provide motivational intervention. If the patient is a member of a special population (e.g., adolescent, pregnant smoker), provide information specific to that population.
Assist	Provide aid for the patient to quit. This includes: ▪Forming a quit plan. ▪Recommending the use of pharmacologic therapy, if indicated. ▪Providing practical counseling ▪Providing social support ▪Providing supplementary materials including websites and quit-lines that will assist in cessation.
Arrange	Schedule follow-up contact, either in person or by telephone. Follow-up contact should occur soon after the quit date, preferably during the first week. A second follow-up contact is recommended within the first month. Schedule further follow-up contacts as indicated.