Treating Tobacco Use And Dependence

Course overview

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S., resulting in more than 435,000 deaths a year. According to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 70 million people over the age of 12 use tobacco. Eighty-four percent of tobacco users are cigarette smokers, who represent about 23% of the population. Although these numbers are staggering, the number of people who smoke has decreased nearly 50% since 1965. Although tobacco use and dependence exacts a high toll on morbidity, mortality and finances, clinicians have historically done a poor and inconsistent job of identifying individuals at risk and providing them with effective treatment options. One study reported that patients being seen for a tobacco-related disease were asked about their smoking status 90% of the time, and that tobacco cessation counseling was provided in 70% of clinic visits. But, tobacco users being seen for a nonpulmonary reason were not questioned or counseled about their tobacco use.