Tobacco Cessation Screening & Referral and Treatment Standard Released

Screening: Every newly diagnosed cancer patient must be screened for current smoking at their first encounter within an accredited cancer program. The three-category framework (current/former/never, with "current" defined as any smoking in the past 30 days) must be documented in a structured, accessible format — ideally as a core EMR data element.

Referral and Treatment: All patients who report current smoking must be referred or receive access to evidence-based smoking cessation treatment within 30 days of screening. Acceptable treatment includes individual counseling by a certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, provider counseling concordant with evidence-based guidelines, referral to group classes, referral to state quitlines or community resources, FDA-approved pharmacotherapy, mobile health programs like SmokefreeTXT, or any combination. Providing brochures without referral to treatment, or verbal suggestions without evidence-based counseling, does not meet the standard. 
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