Tobacco is a product that comes from the leaves of the tobacco plant, which is smoked as a drug. Smokable forms of tobacco include rolling tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco. This information model describes the information asked of the patient about their smoking behaviour and use of tobacco.

Purpose

During the social anamnesis, the patient is frequently asked about their smoking behaviour, use of tobacco or exposure to tobacco smoke at home or elsewhere. Information on tobacco use can be important for treatment and diagnostics.

Evidence Base

Exposure to tobacco is an important risk factor for things like neoplasms, degenerative diseases and vascular incidents. During the anamnesis, the patient is often asked about their current smoking pattern and number of pack years. The number of pack years is the unit that describes the total exposure to tobacco smoke, which is the number of smoked packs of cigarettes per day (one pack = 20 cigarettes) times the number of years of smoking. A different formula is often used for rolling tobacco and pipes, with one of the parameters being the number of grams per week.

Instructions

The pack year is a measure for smokers’ exposure to tobacco smoke. The calculation is not included in the model. It is entered in the EPD and/or during the anamnesis and is only entered if known. This should not be calculated based on the other values in this clinical information model.