56. Algorithm for Treating Tobacco Use
Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update
At the top of the flowchart is the question, Does patient now use tobacco? (See chapter 2). If the answer is "yes," ask, Is patient now willing to quit? If the answer is "yes," provide appropriate tobacco dependence treatments (See chapters 3A and 4). If the answer to the question, Is patient now willing to quit? is "no," promote motivation to quit (See chapter 3B).
If the answer to the first question, Does patient now use tobacco? (See chapter 2) is "no," ask, Did patient once use tobacco? If the answer is "yes," prevent relapse* (see chapter 3C). If the answer to the question, Did patient once use tobacco? is "no," encourage continued abstinence.
* Relapse prevention interventions are not necessary in the case of the adult who has not used tobacco for many years.