5.3.1 Be Proud of What You Achieved

Leverage cessation success as a foundation for broader health behavior change

Successful smoking cessation creates a 'mastery experience' - Bandura's most powerful source of self-efficacy.¹² Clinicians should explicitly frame cessation success as evidence of the patient's general capacity for behavior change. This self-efficacy transfer can be leveraged for other health goals: exercise adherence, dietary modification, stress management. The termination stage is an ideal moment for this broader reframing.

Calibrate follow-up intensity for termination-stage patients

Patients in the termination stage no longer require active cessation support, but should not be discharged without a safety net.¹² Annual check-ins - embedded in routine health assessments - are sufficient for most patients. These should briefly assess: (1) any nicotine use since last contact, (2) current craving frequency, (3) exposure to high-risk situations, and (4) confidence in maintaining abstinence. Red flags include any use, increased craving frequency, or significant life stressors. For patients with multiple prior relapses, more frequent check-ins may be warranted even in termination.