Tobacco.org

Anesthesiologists Help Patients Extinguish Smoking Habits 

In response to the continuing tobacco epidemic, the American Society of Anesthesiologists formed a Smoking Cessation Initiative Task Force in 2006. ASA Member David O. Warner, M.D., an anesthesiologist at the Mayo Clinic, heads the nine –person smoking task force on behalf of ASA.

Dr. Warner explains how the ASA initiative differs from the numerous other “Stop Smoking” programs available today. “The focus of the ASA initiative is not only on the long-term benefits of not smoking, but also on the benefits of not smoking as long as possible before and after surgery. Smokers require special consideration when undergoing anesthesia for a surgical procedure, because smoking complicates anesthesia management and increases the risks of complications.”

As a component of the Smoking Cessation Initiative, ASA is advocating the Ask –Advise – Refer program. This offers physicians practical advice on how to engage their patients in a conversation about their smoking habits and refer them to helpful expert resources, like the national tobacco quit-line, 1-800-Quit- Now.

Jump to full article »