Text adapted in 2021 from Smoking Cessation in The Primary Care Addiction Toolkit (online only). A complete list of Toolkit authors, editors and contributors is available here.
Clinical tools
Assessment tools
Decisional Balance Sheet
Detailing the pros and cons of continuing to smoke as opposed to cutting down or quitting.
Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence
Quiz to analyze when and why clients smoke.
Smoking Diary
Daily diary for tracking when people smoke, how much they smoke and other comments.
Resources for professionals
Guidelines and other toolkits
- The CAN-ADAPTT Clinical Practice Guideline for Smoking Cessation, developed through funding from Health Canada, reviews and grades the evidence base of existing clinical practice guidelines and smoking cessation literature. This CAN-ADAPTT project is based at CAMH.
- The Canadian Smoking Cessation Guidelines (PDF) were produced through a collaboration between pharmaceutical industry representatives and public institutions. The guidelines are endorsed by the University of Toronto's Department of Family and Community Medicine.
- Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: Quick reference clinical guidelines produced by the Public Health Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- Integrating Smoking Cessation into Daily Nursing Practice: Comprehensive nursing best practice guidelines produced by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario.
- Smoking Cessation for Pregnant and Postpartum Women: A Toolkit for Health Professionals (PDF): Pregnets's specialized toolkit that provides resources to address smoking cessation among pregnant and postpartum women.
- Rethinking Stop-Smoking Medications: Treatment Myths and Medical Realities (PDF): An Ontario Medical Association position paper from 2008 that provides concise recommendations for treating patients with an addiction to nicotine.
Information about pharmacotherapies
- Champix (varenicline): Pfizer Canada's product monograph, which also includes patient information.
- Zyban (bupropion): Valeant's product monograph.
Other online resources
- Alcohol and Tobacco Interventions 101: For Primary Care Physicians and Family Health Teams (PDF): This participant's manual from the TEACH Project's smoking cessation training for primary care clinicians provides a useful overview of proven smoking cessation strategies.
- Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada: A not-for-profit organization that advocates for the elimination of smoking.
- Pregnets: A Canadian resource focused on reducing the harms related to smoking during pregnancy. The site features a downloadable toolkit (PDF) for treating patients who are pregnant and who smoke.
Resources for patients and families
Brochures and handouts
Links to printable brochures and handouts that can be given directly to patients or displayed in your clinic waiting room. These resources are designed to provide your patients with factual information about smoking and smoking cessation.
- My Change Plan: Workbook for Making Health Changes was developed by the TEACH Project as an interactive managed self-care tool that supports patients address their smoking. The easy-to-read 52 page booklet provides basic information on nicotine replacement therapy and other smoking cessation medications, the process of behaviour change and relapse prevention.
- Do You Know . . . Tobacco: Factual information from CAMH about tobacco, smoking and nicotine dependence.
- Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking: Information about the short- and long-term benefits of stopping smoking
- What Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms Can I Expect? A useful handout for patients who are planning to quit smoking.
Telephone-based support
- Smokers' Helpline: A Canadian Cancer Society program that includes a 24-hour phone support service.
Online support
- Quitting Smoking: This section of the Canadian Lung Association's website includes helpful suggestions for patients.
Information about medications
- Nicoderm: Useful information on NRT medication for patients, from the pharmaceutical company website.
- Myths and Facts of Nicotine Replacement Therapies: A useful handout adapted for patients' use from the Ontario Medical Association's 2008 position paper "Rethinking Stop-Smoking Medications: Treatment Myths and Medical Realities"
Self-assessment
- "Why Do I Smoke?": A quiz created by the American Academy of Family Physicians to help patients be clear about the psychological, social and physical factors related to their smoking. The quiz is designed to be self-administered by a patient.
Other smoking cessation resources
- Live Tobacco-Free: Toronto Public Health's excellent one-stop site for patients looking for resources.
- Canadian Lung Association: Includes helpful information for patients on smoking, quitting, second-hand smoke and other topics.