Feds issue new guidelines for treating tobacco dependence

St. Paul, Minn. — Federal health officials issued new guidelines today for how medical practitioners should treat tobacco use and dependence.

The report from the U.S. Public Health Service says that great progress has been made in the past generation on getting Americans to quit smoking. But it is critical of providers for not consistently offering evidence-based treatments.

The guidelines were last updated in 1997. Dr. Jon Hallberg, All Things Considered's regular medical analyst, talked about the new guidelines.