Wellness Protocol: Smoking Cessation

PHILOSOPHY:   For persons who desire to quit smoking on their own, without attending a formal class. It is designed to meet the client's individual needs and increase the chance for success.

FORMAT:   The wellness counselor will be available during posted office hours. The client can come in weekly or a schedule can be worked out.

Session I. Establishing Rapport

1. After introductions, explore the client's reasons for wanting to quit.



2. Relate to client by sharing relevant information about your background and experiences.



3. Determine the client's motivation to quit.



• Find out if client has tried to quit smoking before and reasons for relapse.



• Encourage the client's attempt to quit again. Have client set a quit date. It is important to find out whether the client plans to quit cold turkey or cut down gradually. This could include the use of the nicotine patch and /or nicotine gum. Both are available by prescription only.



• Strongly discourage use of smokeless tobacco such as snuff or leaf. It increases the risk of oral cancer and creates other health problems.



• Review client's smoking habits. Ask client to note their smoking patterns during the week between sessions. Suggest that client record number of cigarettes smoked per day as well as what the client was doing at the time. Some clients find this helpful, while others find this activity stressful.



• Review client's eating and exercise habits. Explain the rationale for increased physical well being before attempting to quit smoking. Make appropriate recommendations regarding eating, alcohol consumption, and exercise. If relevant, comment that many people find they are more likely to smoke when drinking alcohol.



• Set date for next appointment. Review daily smoking record with client and give them a wallet card to record current weight and exercise routine.

• Wallet Card (developed by the University of Michigan Worker Health Program).

Session II. Presenting the Program

1. Complete a follow-up form. Discuss any changes in the client's smoking habits. Review the client's dietary practices, alcohol consumption, exercise routine, and smoking patterns.



2. Record the number of cigarettes smoked/day (optional).



3. Begin discussion of coping strategies based on client's smoking patterns.

• Follow up form (developed by the University of Michigan Worker Health Program).
• Current materials available from the American Cancer Society, National Headquarters, 1599 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 or on the Internet at www.cancer.org.

Session III. Continue Program

1. Record number of cigarettes client smoked/day (optional).



2. Continue with strategy development.



3. Discuss progress on diet and exercise, and alcohol consumption if relevant.

Session IV. Continue Program.

1. Record number of cigarettes client smoked/day (optional).



2. Re-affirm client's quit date.



3. Briefly review diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and coping strategies.



4. Set time for follow-up contacts.



5. Encourage client to find a support person who will help during this period, supplying gum, hard candy, licorice sticks, or just be around to talk to.

Session V. Quit Date

1. Contact client to check progress and see how strategies are working. Make any necessary adjustments.



2. Re-affirm next follow-up contact. Reschedule if necessary.