BC doctors are finally going to be recognized for the work they do to help the smokers of British Columbia quit. The BC Cancer Agency, together with the Society for Clinical Preventive Health Care, has developed the Clinical Tobacco Intervention Recognition Program to test doctors and recognize those who effectively help smokers.

Once doctors have passed the course exam, they will be issued a Certificate of Recognition to display in the office. The certificate will prompt patients to ask their doctor for help in stopping smoking. The course and exam are being offered to 1681 family physicians across BC.

Dr. David McLean, BC Cancer Agency's Provincial Program Leader – Cancer Prevention, notes that, "at least 30 per cent of all cancer deaths come from cigarettes, so the BC Cancer Agency is therefore actively investing in cancer prevention."

Dr. Frederic Bass, an expert in the field of smoking cessation and Medical Director of the BC Doctors' Stop-Smoking Program, has helped many doctors to help their patients stop smoking.

According to Dr. Bass, "Clinical evidence demonstrates that systematic clinical tobacco intervention at least doubles the rate at which smokers quit. We want to recognize those doctors who do a good job in this area." After the course is offered to physicians, it will be made available to others in the health care system who can help smokers – dentists, dental hygienists, nurses and pharmacists.

In the BC Vital Statistics Agency 2001 Annual Report, 5670 deaths in BC were attributed to smoking. Extensive clinical research shows that clinical tobacco intervention is one of the health care system's most cost- and life-saving interventions. Physicians who want to receive the course and exam materials should call or email the Society for Clinical Preventive Health Care.

For more information, please contact:

Nicole Adams                      Alyson Meehan
BC Cancer Agency               Society for Clinical Preventive Health Care
(604) 877-6272                     (604) 638-2946