The preconceptional period provides an important opportunity to actively assess and treat tobacco use and to assist parents-to-be in quitting permanently to avoid smoking-related pregnancy and long-term health consequences. 1 2 3 1 4 5 4 6 7 Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: A Clinical Practice Guideline 7 Guide to Community Preventive Services 8 7 8 asking advising assessing assisting arranging Assisting 7 7 7 8 7 State quitlines provide an effective vehicle for telephone counseling and can be accessed by calling 1-800-QUIT NOW, a national portal number to refer tobacco users directly to their state quit line based on their area code. A small number of states also provide over-the-counter medications to eligible populations in conjunction with telephone counseling. Another group of states (e.g., Maine, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Wisconsin) encourages providers to fax referrals (with patient consent) to the state quitline, which in turn proactively calls the smoker to begin counseling. Most quitlines send a “quit kit” to each caller. 9 10 Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence. JAMA June, 28, 2000 (Summary article) Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence (full document). Available at www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco. Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, patient and provider materials. Available at www.ahrq.gov. Guide to Community Preventive Services Telephone Quitlines: A Resource for Development, Implementation, and Evaluation Smoke-Free Families provider, patient, and system materials. Available at www.smokefreefamilies.org. Environmental Protection Agency, smokefree home ban materials. Available at www.epa.gov . March of Dimes at www.marchofdimes.com. Nicotine and Tobacco Research Journal