[Patient counseling by the physician in smoking cessation--conditions and prerequisites]

The importance of the medical profession for the health consultation, which has been more and more emphasized country-wide but also internationally, has only be reflected regarding possible positive results rather than real circumstances and conditions for realization. This report brings out why the realization of the quite reasonable postulate of a medical involvement in the health consultation for a tobacco withdrawal is hindered especially from requirements on the level of attitude, competence and action which urge to a realistic view of the limits and feasibility of the medical involvement.