Ways To Ensure Successful Interactions With Patients

1. Create a non-threatening, caring interpersonal atmosphere.
   1. Friendly facial expressions.
   2. Soothing environment.
   3. Calm voice

2. Approach inquiry about tobacco use as you would other routine health history questions.
3. Be gentle when advising the patient to abstain.
4. Establish direct eye contact with the patient and verbalize your concerns for his/her well-being.
5. Personalize your advice.
6. Address the benefits of cessation. Dwelling only on potential harm from continued use may place the patient on the defensive or arouse guilt.
7. When showing the patient oral effects from tobacco use, present the findings in a gentle non-threatening, informational manner. Assure the patient that the condition will likely improve after s/he quits, if indeed that prospect is expected.
8. If the patient is not interested at this time, let the patient know that you would like to be contacted should s/he reconsider. Be kind and non-judgmental when delivering this message.