Primary healthcare staff are in an influential position when it comes to helping people to
stop smoking. They clearly understand the dangers of smoking and have access to
excellent smoking cessation services. In addition, the recent public smoking legislation
has given many smokers added motivation to stop (See Prevention in Practice, BJPCN
December 2008). However, there is much still to be done. This article recommends an easy and
effective brief intervention for primary healthcare professionals to help patients towards the
most effective way to stop – support and pharmacotherapy.
