Level 1
Very Brief Advice (VBA) Training
Very brief advice (VBA) can be carried out by anyone. It can take as little as 30 seconds and is known to be powerful when carried out by a health professional. Asking about smoking and being able to signpost a smoker to a local Stop Smoking Service is recommended for all who come into contact with smokers through their work.
Reasons to offer Very Brief Advice (VBA):
Every contact with an individual is an opportunity to provide advice on quitting
Offering VBA is the single most cost-effective and clinically proven prevention action a professional can take
Over 60% of smokers want to quit
Smokers are 4x more likely to quit smoking successfully with support from local Stop Smoking Services
References
[1] Anczak J, Nogler R. Tobacco cessation in primary care: maximizing intervention strategies. Clinical Medicine & Research 2003;1(3): 201–216.
[2] Fu S, Partin M, Snyder A et al. Promoting repeat tobacco dependence treatment: are relapsed smokers interested? American Journal of Managed Care 2006;12: 235–43.
[3] West R, McNeill A, Raw M. Smoking cessation guidelines for health professionals: an update. Thorax 2000; 55(12): 987–99.