Ask

Ask every patient at every visit "Do you smoke?" Document tobacco use status along with vital signs.

Expanding the vital signs to include tobacco use status, or the use of other reminder systems such as chart stickers or computer prompts, significantly increases clinical intervention. Below is a sample.

Vital Signs
Blood Pressure: ___________
Pulse: _____ Weight: ______
Temperature: ______________
Respiratory Rate: _________
Tobacco Use:
Current | Former | Never
(circle one)

*This information is drawn directly from the U.S. DHHS Public Health Guideline for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, May 2008.