20th February 2024

Psychosocial interventions

Patients advised to stop smoking should receive ” very brief advice” from clinicians when they express interest in it. This includes counselling on the harm of smoking, withdrawal symptoms and triggers for relapses and management of these symptoms. Clinicians can also use the opportunity to discuss the importance of abrupt cessation and the barriers to change. 

This can be supported with referrals to smoking cessation services such as the NHS Stop Smoking services. These services can offer behavioural support and advice about treatments to stop smoking.