These materials are for health professionals.

• Guides
• Surveys and Reports
• Rules and Regulations

Guides

VA Smoking Cessation Pocket Guide for Clinicians

Helping Smokers Quit: A Guide for Clinicians (172 KB, PDF)

This guide was originally developed by Tobacco Free Nurses and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has been revised for use by clinical providers in the VA Health Care System. The pocket guide provides brief guidance on the 5 A’s of smoking cessation counseling: Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange.

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Surveys and Reports

Integrating Tobacco Cessation Treatment into Mental Health Care 
(4 MB, PDF)

In May 2006, the VA Puget Sound Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center and the Center of Excellence in Substance Abuse Treatment and Education, in collaboration with the Public Health National Prevention Program held preceptor training for VHA mental health and substance use disorder providers, "Integrating Tobacco Cessation Treatment into Mental Health Care." The summary of that meeting is now available in a PDF format.

VA in the Vanguard: Building on Success in Smoking Cessation 
(4.1 MB, PDF)

In September 2004, the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center of the University of California, San Francisco and the VHA Public Health Strategic Health Care Group held a conference to review best practices in tobacco use cessation clinical programs and policies. For a copy of the complete proceedings, please contact Ms. Catherine Saucedo of the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center at csaucedo@medicine.ucsf.edu.

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Rules and Regulations

Final Rule on Elimination of Copayment for Smoking Cessation Counseling* - Federal Register Online
The final rule eliminating copayments for smoking cessation counseling was effective January 17, 2006.

This VA information letter includes background on electronic cigarettes and guidance from the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization.

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