What is the paramedic's role in smoking cessation?

Background: Both the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and Public Health England have made smoking cessation a health promotion priority but the paramedic's potential impact in this important area has yet to be fully realised.

Aim: This article proposes an evidence-based quality improvement intervention that can be adopted by paramedics at an individual, service-wide or national level to promote smoking cessation.

Methodology: Building on a structured literature review and using the three fundamental questions and a Plan Do Study Act cycle, we propose a quality improvement strategy and evaluation methodology suited to the aims of the article.

Discussion: Very Brief Advice is an evidence-based, effective and time-efficient way of reducing harm from smoking and improving quality of life for patients, saving NHS money as well as increasing paramedic job satisfaction.