The AAFP's tobacco cessation program, "Ask and Act," encourages family physicians to ASK their patients about tobacco use, then ACT to help them quit.
Research evaluated by the AAFP Tobacco Cessation Advisory Committee at the March 2005 Tobacco Cessation Summit indicated that 70 percent of physicians ask their patients about tobacco use, and about 40 percent take action to help those who use tobacco.
Through the Ask and Act program, AAFP members have access to a variety of resources to help patients quit using tobacco. The materials – some new and some obtained from other sources – are posted online for practices, residencies, family medicine departments and AAFP constituent chapters to download. Resources include:
- quitline cards;
- patient education materials;
- practice materials;
- CME; and
- information on reimbursement for tobacco cessation counseling.
AAFP News Now: "Initiative Challenges FPs to Ask, Act on Patients' Tobacco Use"
-- An announcement from the AAFP about the new tobacco cessation initiative, Ask and Act.
AAFP News Now Article: "Help Patients Kick Tobacco Habit"
-- An article about new Ask and Ask resources for patients, including an online tool kit and quitline cards.
AAFP News Now Article: "See Tobacco Cessation Info for FPs, Patients"
-- An article outlining some of the resources and information available on the new Ask and Act web site.
The Ask and Act Program is supported in part by the Smoking Cessation Leadership Center.
