Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States. Despite the health risks, tobacco use among adults and adolescents remains high. You can help your patients quit and improve their health outcomes by:
- Appropriately diagnosing tobacco use.
- Documenting tobacco use in medical records.
- Offering tobacco cessation interventions.
Resources to help tobacco users quit
For providers
- HPSM’s tobacco cessation provider webpage includes recommendations, requirements and resources to effectively identify and support those who use tobacco.
- The Youth Tobacco Cessation App from American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is designed to help providers assess and support youth tobacco cessation.
For members
- Tobacco cessation medicines are an evidence-based intervention that can help users quit. A prescription for tobacco cessation medicines is required for HPSM to cover the cost. Many providers can prescribe these medicines. If you are not licensed to prescribe medicines, encourage any patient who wants to quit tobacco to talk to their primary care provider (PCP).
- HPSM’s Quit Tobacco Health Tips webpage has information on the dangers of tobacco, benefits of quitting and resources to help quit tobacco, including HPSM’s Quit Tobacco Newsletter.
- HPSM’s Health Promotion Unit can connect our members to information, HPSM-covered services and community resources that can help them quit tobacco. Encourage HPSM members to call our Health Promotion Unit at 650-616-2165.
- Kick It California offers no-cost phone coaching, text reminders and a smartphone app (all available in several languages) for members seeking to quit tobacco.
- The National Quitline provides no-cost coaching and information on quitting smoking (also available in several languages). Members can visit the website or learn more by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).
If you have any questions about tobacco cessation resources available to HPSM members, email HPSM’s Health Promotion Unit.