The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, has released a new set of guidelines for primary care practitioners, "Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: A Clinical Practice Guideline." The guidelines, released in June, are based on an evaluation of nearly 6,000 peer-reviewed research studies. They recommend pharmacotherapies such as nicotine replacement therapy by patch, gum, inhaler, and nasal spray, and sustained release bupropion, as well as behavioral therapy, counseling, and support programs to help patients overcome their addiction to nicotine.
NIDA-along with the National Cancer Institute; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; and the University of Wisconsin Medical School's Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention-sponsored development of the guidelines.
Copies of "Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: A Clinical Practice Guideline" and a consumer guide called "You Can Quit Smoking" are available by calling 1-800-358-9295 or writing to Publications Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 8547, Silver Spring, MD 20907-8547.