The majority of smokers are interested in quitting (but not necessarily ready to take action!) and studies have shown that encouragement and brief advice from health professionals is appreciated and will often lead to action.

Quit SA has many resources to assist you and your patients who smoke including: education and training on how best to raise the issue in a positive patient-centered way, printed materials to assist patients to quit.

Health workers are not expected to spend hours counselling their patients through the quitting process but quitting smoking is hard to do and patients will need all the help they can get to be successful.

"Patients don’t want to hear about it, I don’t want to put them off"
Patients do want to hear about it and when asked say they expect smoking as other issues related to their illness will be discussed and assistance provided to quit.

Lack of time and incentives
Time can be a barrier, however if a system is in place it becomes part of the routine. Incentives may need to be the result of knowing this is an important issue.

Lack of resources: patient education, referral services
Resources and training can be provided and the Quitline in SA has a referral service unique to this state which is highly regarded.

Lack of confidence and skills to intervene
Training can increase confidence and skills and is available. Informing other health professionals about the programs can really help to change this issue.