Point 1 Tobacco dependence is a chronic disease – Tobacco dependence is a chronic, highly recurring disease, and only a few smokers quit completely the first time they quit. Point 2 The harm of smoking and the benefits of quitting – Quitting early is better than quitting late, and quitting is better than not quitting. Quitting before age 30 reduces the risk of lung cancer by 90%; the risk of oral and esophageal tumors caused by smoking is reduced by half 5 years after quitting; the risk of heart disease decreases more rapidly after quitting, with deaths from smoking halved within 1 year and the absolute risk similar to that of never-smokers within 15 years; quitting smoking slightly increases lung function and reverses the rate of lung function decline. -Regardless of when one quits smoking, the life expectancy of a quitter is longer than that of a continuing smoker. Point 3: Tobacco control is a physician’s responsibility – Physicians and tobacco are incompatible. In many countries, physicians do not consider tobacco control as part of their professional responsibilities, but simply treat the diseases caused by smoking. Point 4 Tobacco is the largest preventable cause of disease that physicians face in their careers -The most direct way that physicians can help reduce the harms of tobacco is to help patients quit. -The effectiveness of physician counseling to quit is directly proportional to the degree of counseling. -Physicians should help each smoker work toward the goal of quitting the last cigarette, addressing at least a little bit of the smoker’s quitting problem at a time. Point 5: Appropriate cessation methods -Treatment of physical dependence (somatic dependence): smoking cessation medications. -Treatment of psychological dependence: psychological support. -Optimal treatment for tobacco dependence: a combination of medication and behavioral treatment. Point 6 Encourage the use of cessation aids -WHO recommends: first-line cessation medications include appropriate preparations for nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches, chewing gums, nasal sprays, inhalers and sublingual tablets, and bupropion hydrochloride.