ASSESS

Determine willingness to make a quit attempt

• Ask every tobacco user if he or she is willing to make a quit attempt at this time (e.g., within the next 30 days).
  
  
  • If the patient is willing to make a quit attempt at this time, provide assistance.
  • If the patient will participate in an intensive treatment, deliver such a treatment or refer to an intensive intervention.
  • If the patient clearly states he or she is unwilling to make a quit attempt at this time, provide a motivational intervention.
  • If the patient is a member of a special population (e.g., mid-life and older smoker, racial/ethnic minority), consider providing additional targeted information.

• Assessing Stages of Change

  Question	Answer	Stage	Action
  Do you intend to stop smoking in the next 6 months?	No	PRECONTEMPLATION	Use motivation strategies
  	Yes	CONTEMPLATION	Use motivation strategies
  Do you plan to quit smoking within the next 30 days?	No
  	Yes	PREPARATION	Continue with 5 A's: Assist and Arrange
  Are you in the process of giving up smoking?	Yes	ACTION	Encourage, assess for relapse
  Have you quit smoking for more than 6 months?	Yes	MAINTENANCE	Congratulate, prevent relapse