This is in part due to insufficient education for health professionals in this area. Insufficient time during a busy day for counselling. Funding mechanisms that assign a low priority to preventive care, e.g. little or no reimbursement for smoking cessation interventions, follow-up or support. Lack of public awareness of the smoking cessation services a health professional can provide. Frustration with the high rate of relapse.
Smokers often go through a long period of reaching readiness before they finally quit.
Helping smokers stop smoking is one of the most important services a health care provider can offer. A collaborative multidisciplinary approach to tobacco control is important. Each health profession brings its own unique knowledge and expertise to advance an overall strategy. Health professionals should take advantage of opportunities to reduce tobacco use. Health professionals require specific education and tools to facilitate their roles in tobacco control.