[Helping smokers kick the habit].
The family doctor has an increasingly important role to play as a "gatekeeper", with many advantages for the initiation and implementation of a successful weaning program. Controlled studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of a short-term intervention based on motivational talks by the family doctor together with the application of such weaning drugs as nicotine substitutes and bupropion. The latter substance should be offered to adult smokers consuming in excess of ten cigarettes daily. The chances that a smoker can successfully stop smoking is doubled by the use of weaning medication. Ideally,the physician should, at the same time, draw the patient's attention to the significance of a healthy diet and physical exercise.
Schmidt
L G
LG
Psychiatrischen Klinik und Poliklinik der Universität Mainz. schmidt@psychiatrie.klinik.uni-mainz.de
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005194:Family Practice; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation