• This is a Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) measure and a Healthcare Effectiveness and Data Information Set (HEDIS) measure. 
• The CAHPS survey looks at health care performance from the customer’s point of view.
• Note: The response rate to the 2021 CAHPS survey was lower than previous years: 19.9% in 2021 and 25% in 2020.

One component of this survey measure assesses the level of tobacco use and three components of this measure assess different facets of providing medical assistance with smoking and tobacco use cessation:

1. Percentage of survey respondents who indicate that they smoke cigarettes or use tobacco every day or some days.
2. Advising Smokers and Tobacco Users to Quit: Adults 18 years of age and older who are current smokers or tobacco users and who received cessation advice during the measurement year.
3. Discussing Cessation Medications: Adults 18 years of age and older who are current smokers or tobacco users and who discussed or were recommended cessation medications during the measurement year.
4. Discussing Cessation Strategies: Adults 18 years of age and older who are current smokers or tobacco users who discussed or were provided cessation methods or strategies during the measurement year.

Smoking, vaping and tobacco product use are the largest causes of preventable disease and death in the United States and in Vermont. Tobacco use causes disease in nearly every organ in the body.  Nearly one-third of Vermont cancers are tobacco-associated. 

Quitting smoking and tobacco use saves lives, reduces cancer, depression and heart disease risk, and improves overall health. Comprehensive cessation interventions that motivate and help users to quit tobacco use can be very effective.  Health care providers also play an important role in supporting tobacco users and their efforts to quit. By asking, advising and counseling or making a referral to the state Quitline, 802quits.org, providers are assisting with reducing the smoking prevalence among Medicaid patients which continues to decline from 28.2% in 2020 to 23.9% in 2024. Encouraging and supporting patients who smoke, vape or use other tobacco products to quit is a whole health approach that can also aid in surgery, cancer and respiratory health treatment and aid in meeting recovery goals from other substances. It may take some 15 quit attempts or more to be successful; multiple attempts help patients to realize what can work for them, especially when supported by their provider.

Last updated:  08/2025