Starting the Conversation

There is no wrong way to start talking to your clients about their smoking. Your relationship with the person will determine the approach you choose to take. With some people you may be able to be more direct, with others not.

A less than 3 minute conversation is all it takes to help them get started. Empower clients to quit smoking by starting the conversation.

Ask - Clients who smoke how they are feeling about their smoking and if they want to give quitting a go.

Advise - Smokers on the benefits of quitting. All smokers will be at different stages of readiness to quit, with some not ready to quit. For all stages you can provide smokers with advice for when they are ready.

Assist/Act - Quitting can be difficult to do alone. Help connect clients to the support they need to quit smoking. You can refer people to a support service that you and the smoker have decided is most appropriate for them. These support services will help them plan their quit attempt, and provide support throughout their quitting journey.

Repeat – Follow up with smokers regularly to celebrate milestones and successes and encourage them to keep trying if they have a relapse. If they haven’t tried to quit, ask them if they have given any more thought to it, and reinforce your advice to quit smoking, offering them assistance again.

Remember, asking someone about their smoking is better than doing nothing!

Clients want to receive support to quit smoking from community service workers. You might even be the only person who can help your clients quit.

Make Smoking History has partnered with the Western Australian Council of Social Services Inc (WACOSS) to deliver two half day training workshops on what the community services sector can do to help people stop smoking tobacco. There are also a variety of other training opportunities and resources for you to access that will help you talk to your clients about quitting smoking.