Tobacco Use and Dependence: A 2011 Update of Treatments

This activity is intended to meet the needs of all professionals who provide healthcare to tobacco users. This includes physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, medical assistants, dentists, hygienists, respiratory therapists, psychologists, social workers, substance abuse counselors, mental health counselors, pharmacists, and others.Elements of CompetenceThis activity has been designed to change learner competence focusing on the American Board of Medical Specialties areas of medical knowledge, patient care, interpersonal and communication skills, practice-based learning and improvement and systems based practice.The goal of this activity is to identify effective interventions for tobacco use that can be offered during clinical/medical visits.Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the rationale for treating tobacco dependence
2. Explain why tobacco dependence is a chronic disease
3. Initiate clinical interventions for tobacco users who are willing to quit as well as users who are not willing to make a quit attempt
4. Assist users attempting to quit with strategies designed to prevent relapse
5. Implement appropriate strategies to assist special populations of smokers

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