Break the Habit
A Pharmacist’s Toolkit for Smoking Cessation Counselling
Behavioural supports
Behavioural supports are nonpharmacological methods of smoking cessation that focus on changing smoking behaviours. Often, behavioural supports are based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying thoughts and behaviours. Most often, behavioural supports involve ongoing interactions between the patient (or patients) and the health-care provider.
Improving efficacy
- Combining counselling and pharmacotherapy is more effective than either alone—provide both as often as possible.
- Short, 1–3-minute interventions are effective and should be offered to every nicotine user. However, there is a strong dose-response curve between session length and successful treatment—intensive intervention should be provided whenever possible.
- Multiple counselling sessions increase the chance of prolonged abstinence—aim to provide 4 or more counselling sessions.
- Goal: Foster motivation and help the patient navigate triggers
- Efficacy: Help the patient maintain smoking cessation for at least 6 months; while not all supports are equal, they do all provide some level of benefit
- Types of supports
- Self-help
- Group counselling sessions
- Individual counselling—tailored to the patient’s specific needs and profile
- Texts of encouragement
- Phone check-ins
- In person
Use the resource below to learn more about providing behavioural supports for smoking cessation.