Tobacco control mnemonic

Brief intervention for tobacco cessation

The mnemonic

The 5 A's

What each word stands for

  • AskAsk about tobacco use at every visit
  • AdviseAdvise all users clearly to quit
  • AssessAssess willingness to make a quit attempt
  • AssistAssist with a plan, counselling and medication
  • ArrangeArrange follow-up

Why it matters clinically

A short structure that takes a few minutes in any consultation and raises quit rates.

Where it stops being reliable

For people not yet ready to quit, a motivational approach (the 5 R's) is used instead. Do not confuse the two.

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Tobacco control mnemonic?

The 5 A's. It helps you recall: Brief intervention for tobacco cessation.

What does "Ask" stand for?

Ask about tobacco use at every visit

What does "Advise" stand for?

Advise all users clearly to quit

What does "Assess" stand for?

Assess willingness to make a quit attempt

What are all the parts of the The 5 A's mnemonic?

Ask: Ask about tobacco use at every visit; Advise: Advise all users clearly to quit; Assess: Assess willingness to make a quit attempt; Assist: Assist with a plan, counselling and medication; Arrange: Arrange follow-up.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Tobacco control in PSM.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

For people not yet ready to quit, a motivational approach (the 5 R's) is used instead. Do not confuse the two.

How is this useful clinically?

A short structure that takes a few minutes in any consultation and raises quit rates.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a PSM question about Tobacco control.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.