title: Tobacco smoking: options for helping smokers to quit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although great progress has been made on tobacco control, smoking remains one of the most important causes of preventable disease and death in the Australian population. The general practice team has much to offer in helping smokers to quit.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article provides practical advice on structuring smoking cessation support in primary care using the 5As (Ask, Assess, Advise, Assist and Arrange follow-up) framework. Up-to-date information on pharmacotherapy and issues for special groups are also covered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The chances of successful quitting are maximised if the patient receives behavioural support combined with drug treatment, if nicotine-dependent. Special groups needing support include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with mental illness and pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: MBBS, MPH, PhD, FRACGP, is Professor of General Practice, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales.
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Zwar
authors.forename: Colin P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Mendelsohn
authors.forename: Robyn L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Richmond
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016642:Bupropion / Q000627:therapeutic use; D037001:Directive Counseling; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058006:General Practice / Q000379:methods*; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006801:Humans; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; D000068580:Varenicline
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D016642:Bupropion; D000068580:Varenicline