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Smoking during cancer treatment is associated with reduced treatment response and cancer recurrence in patients with tobacco-related cancers. The purpose of this study was to examine smoking characteristics in head and neck cancer patients ( n = 503) with a history of smoking and examine the impact of an intensive clinical tobacco intervention to patients who were currently smoking. All participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire at study enrollment which examined smoking behaviours, motivations to quit, and strategies used to cessate smoking. Follow-up assessments were completed at 6- and 12-months which monitored whether patients had quit smoking, remained cessated, or continued to smoke since study recruitment. For those who were currently smoking ( n = 186, 37.0%), an intensive clinical tobacco intervention that utilized the 3A's-Ask, Advise, Arrange-and the Opt-Out approach was offered to assist with smoking cessation at their new patient visit and followed-up weekly during their head and neck radiation therapy for 7 weeks. At 6 months, 23.7% ( n = 41) of those who were smoking successfully quit; 51.2% quit 'cold turkey' (defined as using no smoking cessation assistance, aids or pharmacotherapy to quit), while 34.9% used pharmacotherapy (varenicline (Champix)) to quit. On average, it took those who were smoking 1-5 attempts to quit, but once they quit they remained cessated for the duration of the study. Although the head and neck cancer patients in this study reported high levels of nicotine dependence, many were able to successfully cessate.

The article discusses the findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) four Country Survey, a prospective cohort survey which was conducted to assess the real- world effectiveness of stop-smoking medications in Great Britain, U.S., Canada, and Australia. Topics covered include use of data from 2006 to 2009, profiles of participants who did not use medications in their quit attempt, and link of use of varenicline, bupropion, and nicotine patch to better success in smoking cessation.

The article offers information on the effects of smoking tobacco cigarette on the oral health among older adults. Among the implications includes the reduction of approximately seven years life expectancy of tobacco users, the risk for dental carries, chronic periodontitis, and tooth loss, and chronic diseases. Also mentioned the association of smoking with stroke, Alzheimer's disease and cancer and the encouragement for smoking cessation in older adults. INSET: Oral Health 2016: Clinical Tobacco Intervention.

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including tobacco cessation, electronic (e)-cigarettes, and the Advisory Panel of "Your Oral Health.ca Magazine."

The author discusses the reasons why Training Enhancement in Applied Cessation Counselling and Health by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is a valuable program.