213. Specific Populations and Other Topics (Continued)

Ensure that interventions are provided in a language the patient understands. Most quitlines provide counseling in Spanish and some provide counseling in other languages.

All textual materials used (e.g., self-help brochures) should be written at an appropriate reading level. This is particularly important given epidemiological data showing that tobacco use rates are markedly higher among individuals of lower educational attainment.

Interventions should be culturally appropriate to make them relevant and acceptable to the patient. The extent to which cultural tailoring enhances intervention effectiveness requires further research.

Clinicians should remain sensitive to individual differences and spiritual and health beliefs that may affect treatment acceptance, use and success in all populations.

Examine the possibility of medication interactions (See section in Chapter 6: Interactions of first-line tobacco use medications with other drugs).

Address how exposure to tobacco can alter the liver's ability to metabolize different medications (HIV-positive patients).