Some physicians believe they can have little or no effect on their patients' smoking.
However, evidence-based research shows that clinical tobacco intervention by physicians does work. The problem is to get physicians to intervene systematically and consistently. The Role of Health Professionals in Smoking Cessation Nine health care professional associations have joined together to highlight the key role that they can play in assisting smokers to quit smoking and stay smoke-free. Even a brief discussion with a health professional can significantly increase the quit rate. In October of 1991, a multidisciplinary advisory board of leading Canadian authorities on smoking cessation participated in a two-day Canadian Consensus on Physician Intervention in Smoking and Health, held under the auspices of the Canadian Council on Smoking and Health.