Smoking cessation toolbox for allergists

Allergists know the significant impact that smoking has and will make on the lives and health of patients. It is important for these specialists to make an impact on the chronic disease of tobacco addiction because it directly affects the care rendered. By using the standardized tobacco use treatment concept of the 5 A's (ask, advise, assess, assist, and arrange), allergists can make a positive impact on reducing US smoking rates and improve patient health. Screening, providing brief counseling, and prescribing first-line smoking cessation medications will help the United States get closer to achieving the national goal laid out in Healthy People 2010 of smoking rates of 12% or less.