About Healthcare Provider Training

Healthcare professionals are the single most influential determinant of tobacco treatment success, and can contribute significantly to a decrease in tobacco use. The Tobacco Free Florida AHEC Cessation Program provides continuing education credits and continuing medical education credits to healthcare professionals in-person, virtually, and on-demand through our AHEC Education modules.

Continuing education is offered to healthcare providers and community partners on a variety of tobacco-related topics including brief interventions, motivational interviewing, new tobacco products, cessation techniques, pharmacotherapy, and best practices for working with special populations, such as pregnant women and adolescents. The trainings are free and provided through in-person workshops, seminars, conferences, symposia, summits, and Internet.

Presentations are based on the Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence and the CDC Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs.

health students in class

Healthcare Provider Referrals

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that all healthcare providers treat tobacco dependence in their practices. An intervention lasting as little as three minutes can have a significant impact on individual treatment outcomes. As a doctor or healthcare professional, your influence can help inspire your patients to quit smoking and live longer, healthier lives.

Through Tobacco Free Florida’s Quit Your Way Program, Florida AHECs offer free, expert-led virtual and in-person group cessation sessions for all Florida residents, regardless of insurance status. The Group Quit program consist of two options: a one-time, 2-hour single session and a 4-week multi-session group that meets once a week for one hour. Both programs offer education on the health effects related to tobacco use, but more importantly, they teach the benefits of quitting and what to expect when quitting. Tobacco Cessation Specialists and trained facilitators guide attendees as they identify their reasons for quitting, barriers and triggers, and learn skills to cope with withdrawal symptoms.

The sessions also cover:

  • Nicotine addiction and medications that help
  • Planning for the quit date
  • Anticipating triggers
  • Overcoming cravings
  • Relapse prevention

Both groups offer free nicotine replacement therapy (while supplies last), educational materials, supplemental materials for quit day, and follow-up support. We address all forms of tobacco.

You can make a difference. Download the Provider Referral form here, complete it with tobacco dependent patients, and submit it via fax or email to the program of choice.

Free Printable Resources for Healthcare Providers

Benefits of Quitting Poster

Quit Tips Booklet (English)

Quit Tips Booklet (Spanish)

Quit Tobacco Today Brochure (English)

Quit Tobacco Today Brochure (Spanish)

Tobacco Use and Behavioral Health Infographic

Provider Referral Form