Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 8:52 AM AWST
22/07/2026 8:52 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Provide information on smoking and smoking cessation
Provide information on smoking and smoking cessation
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTPOP403C
HLTPOP403C
State Code
D8455
D8455
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/08/2014
Field of Education
061307 - Health Promotion
Original Release Date
12/08/2014
Nominal Hours
40
Description
DescriptorThis unit describes the knowledge and skills required by workers to provide information to individuals and groups on smoking and smoking cessation programsThe unit provides information on the population health issues surrounding tobacco use and the impact of smoking and nicotine dependence on the individual
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Work undertaken demonstrates an understanding of the context of tobacco use in society
- 1.1 In all work, reflect an understanding of the prevalence of; and gender, age and cultural distribution of smoking in the Australian population
- 1.2 Reflect in work practices, knowledge of cultural and gender factors associated with tobacco use in Australia, including variations in smoking methods and prevalence between culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and particular demographic groups
- 1.3 In all work, reflect an understanding of the social, political and economic context of tobacco use in Australian society
- 1.4 In all work, reflect an understanding of the range of diseases and the health and economic burden attributable to tobacco
- 1.5 Reflect work undertaken, an understanding of the particular problems associated with smoking among special groups including: pregnant and lactating women; adolescents; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people with smoking related diseases; people with a mental illness
2. Provide information on smoking and its effects
- 2.1 Reflect in work undertaken, knowledge of the physiology of nicotine dependence including interactions with various medications
- 2.2 Reflect in work undertaken, knowledge of behavioural and pharmacological determinants of smoking behaviour
- 2.3 Provide relevant information relating to smoking and its effects
- 2.4 Provide and promote health benefits of quitting smoking for the individual
3. Provide information on smoking cessation treatments and their outcomes
- 3.1 Identify and promote national and international best practice strategies for smoking cessation
- 3.2 Take into account needs of special populations, such as adolescents and people with mental illnesses in promoting smoking cessation programs
- 3.3 Provide clients with self-help materials, such as pamphlets and fact sheets
- 3.4 Provide referral to telephone counselling services as required
4. Screen clients for smoking
- 4.1 Assess nicotine dependence using a validated method
- 4.2 Record client results using a suitable system
- 4.3 Maintain client records professionally and accurately
- 4.4 Maintain client confidentiality
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Historical, social, political and economic context includes:
The statutory framework within which work takes place in the health and community sector
The historical context of work e.g. changing knowledge about best practice in treating nicotine dependence; changing approaches to working with clients; changing social context of work e.g. changing government and societal views of tobacco use and approaches to working with clients
The political context e.g. government policies and initiatives affecting treatment for nicotine dependence
The economic context e.g. the current economic situation as it relates to and affects tobacco use and the subsequent impact on client needs
Special groups include:
Pregnant and lactating women
Adolescents
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
People with smoking related diseases
People with a mental illness
Population based smoking cessation strategies include:
Health promotion campaigns
Health screening activities
Health education for groups
Development and dissemination of resources such as pamphlets
Working with businesses to promote smoking cessation among staff
Working with individuals
Health system
The underpinning values and philosophies of the sector may include:
A holistic and client-centred approach i.e. promotion of health and wellbeing
Early identification of health problems
Delivery of appropriate services based on evidence for best practice
Commitment to meeting the needs and upholding the rights of clients
Commitment to empowering the client
A commitment to access and equity must be demonstrated by:
A non-discriminatory approach to all people using the service, their family and friends, the general public and co-workers ensuring the work undertaken takes account of and caters for differences including: cultural, physical, religious, economic, social etc
Validated methods for assessing nicotine dependence include:
Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence
TTFC + CPD (time to first cigarette plus cigarettes per day)
Suitable systems for recording client results include using:
Chart stickers
Smoking as vital sign
Computer prompts
Social, political and economic context of tobacco smoking may include reference to:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complementary Action Plan 2003-2009
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Historical, social, political and economic context includes:
The statutory framework within which work takes place in the health and community sector
The historical context of work e.g. changing knowledge about best practice in treating nicotine dependence; changing approaches to working with clients; changing social context of work e.g. changing government and societal views of tobacco use and approaches to working with clients
The political context e.g. government policies and initiatives affecting treatment for nicotine dependence
The economic context e.g. the current economic situation as it relates to and affects tobacco use and the subsequent impact on client needs
Special groups include:
Pregnant and lactating women
Adolescents
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
People with smoking related diseases
People with a mental illness
Population based smoking cessation strategies include:
Health promotion campaigns
Health screening activities
Health education for groups
Development and dissemination of resources such as pamphlets
Working with businesses to promote smoking cessation among staff
Working with individuals
Health system
The underpinning values and philosophies of the sector may include:
A holistic and client-centred approach i.e. promotion of health and wellbeing
Early identification of health problems
Delivery of appropriate services based on evidence for best practice
Commitment to meeting the needs and upholding the rights of clients
Commitment to empowering the client
A commitment to access and equity must be demonstrated by:
A non-discriminatory approach to all people using the service, their family and friends, the general public and co-workers ensuring the work undertaken takes account of and caters for differences including: cultural, physical, religious, economic, social etc
Validated methods for assessing nicotine dependence include:
Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence
TTFC + CPD (time to first cigarette plus cigarettes per day)
Suitable systems for recording client results include using:
Chart stickers
Smoking as vital sign
Computer prompts
Social, political and economic context of tobacco smoking may include reference to:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complementary Action Plan 2003-2009
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit may be assessed on the job or through simulation
Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities in the workplace
Method of assessment:
Assessment may include:
Written assignment
Observation
Interview and questioning
Workplace documentation of practice
Related units:
This unit is a pre-requisite for:
HLTPOP404C Provide interventions to clients who are nicotine dependent
Taking this unit alone does not qualify one to provide smoking cessation interventions
It is also recommended that this unit be undertaken with:
HLTPOP402C Assess readiness for and effect behaviour change
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this competency unit:
The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills
Access and equity considerations:
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Context of and specific resources for assessment:
This unit may be assessed on the job or through simulation
Consistency in performance should consider the work environment, worker's role and responsibilities in the workplace
Method of assessment:
Assessment may include:
Written assignment
Observation
Interview and questioning
Workplace documentation of practice
Related units:
This unit is a pre-requisite for:
HLTPOP404C Provide interventions to clients who are nicotine dependent
Taking this unit alone does not qualify one to provide smoking cessation interventions
It is also recommended that this unit be undertaken with:
HLTPOP402C Assess readiness for and effect behaviour change
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVZ49 | HLTPOP015 | Provide information on smoking and smoking cessation | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J582 | HLT40113 | Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | Qualification |
| J584 | HLT50113 | Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | Qualification |
| J581 | HLT30113 | Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | Qualification |
| J580 | HLT20113 | Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care | Qualification |
| J583 | HLT40213 | Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice | Qualification |
| J585 | HLT50213 | Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice | Qualification |
| J086 | HLT42312 | Certificate IV in Population Health | Qualification |
| J062 | HLT32212 | Certificate III in Population Health | Qualification |