By Alanna Kennedy

How Health Care Professionals Can Help

By Alanna Kennedy

It is important to always ask patients if they are smokers, but to do so in a nonjudgmental way, says Thomas J. Glynn, a psychologist and the director of cancer science and trends for the American Cancer Society (ACS). “One of the worst things you can do is nag,” he cautions. “Just let them know you are there for any advice if they decide to quit.” It is also important for health care professionals to follow up with patients during the quitting process. The first one to two weeks are the hardest, and smokers may need extra support at that time.