["Do not do" also as regards tobacco].

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Primary Care Medicine
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Smoking cessation interventions are crucial for patient health.
• The "5 A's" (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) is a widely recommended primary care strategy.
• Current implementation of smoking cessation interventions in primary care is suboptimal, often due to overly complex protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate existing smoking cessation protocols in primary care.
• To identify barriers to effective intervention delivery.
• To propose simpler, evidence-based alternatives for smoking cessation support.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of smoking cessation strategies.
• Critical analysis of the Smoker Care Service Portfolio of the Madrid Health Service.
• Development of alternative intervention models based on scientific evidence.

Main Results:

• Existing protocols are often over-complicated and include non-evidence-based elements.
• There is a gap between recommended and actual intervention rates in primary care.
• Simpler, focused interventions are needed to improve adherence and effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• Current smoking cessation protocols in primary care require simplification and evidence-based refinement.
• Adopting streamlined, evidence-based interventions can enhance healthcare providers' ability to support patients in quitting smoking.
• The proposed alternatives aim to improve the efficiency and efficacy of smoking cessation services.