The consistent, effective delivery of tobacco cessation intervention requires support from the healthcare system. For instance, research shows that smokers are significantly more likely to make a quit attempt if tobacco treatment is a covered benefit in health insurance packages44. Because of the health and cost benefits of cessation, more insurance plans now cover evidence-based cessation treatments (e.g., in 2010 Medicare expanded its coverage to all smokers, not just those with smoking related disease, extending coverage for cessation counseling to 4 million individuals45). In addition, electronic health records (EHRs) can prompt the physician and clinic staff to systematically identify and treat smokers46. Clinician training and performance feedback, dedicated staff to deliver smoking cessation treatments, and Fax-to-Quit programs that link patients with tobacco cessation quitlines nationwide (1-800-QUIT NOW) 47 also increase successful tobacco cessation.
