What is the recommended action when a patient uses tobacco, according to USPSTF?

• A. Prescribe nicotine replacement therapy universally to all patients
• B. Provide or refer to evidence-based cessation interventions
• C. Advise to quit but no resources
• D. Do not provide any cessation assistance

Answer: (B)

The main concept is that clinicians should actively address tobacco use by providing or referring patients to evidence-based cessation interventions. This goes beyond just telling someone to quit; it means offering practical help that has been shown to improve quit rates. Evidence-based cessation interventions can include brief in-office counseling, referrals to behavioral support such as quitlines or ongoing counseling, and appropriate pharmacotherapy (like nicotine replacement therapy) used alone or in combination with other medications such as varenicline or bupropion. The USPSTF emphasizes that delivering or connecting patients with this kind of support increases the likelihood that they will quit compared with giving no resources. That’s why providing or referring to these proven options is the recommended action, rather than advising to quit without resources or doing nothing.