Hospital-based smoking cessation clinics can provide professional counseling and medication. Advice from doctors is very effective in motivating smokers to quit. Physicians have access to pharmacotherapies (NRT, bupropion and varenicline) that can increase the chances of quitting successfully. Even brief simple advice about quitting smoking when delivered by a physician can increase the likelihood that someone who smokes will successfully quit and remain a nonsmoker 12 months later.

More intensive advice may result in slightly higher rates of quitting. Providing follow-up support after offering the advice may increase the quit rates slightly. In some healthcare settings they can also refer patients to more intensive behavioral counseling and support, either face-to-face or via telephone Quitline services.