Introduction:
The effectiveness of smoking cessation in the prevention and management of myocardial infarction (MI) is well documented. Hospital admissions are unique opportunities for them to receive tobacco dependence treatment and healthcare providers may play a major role in it. This study investigated smoking cessation interventions using evidence-based "5 A's" model (Ask, Advice, Assess, Assist, and Arrange) among MI patients in Nork-Marash Medical Center (large cardiac hospital in Yerevan, Armenia).

Material and Methods:
Interviewer-administered telephone survey and chart review were conducted among adult MI patients at 6 to 12 months after hospitalization who were smokers at the time of MI.

Results:
The data was collected from 103 smoker patients with the mean age of 58.73. Medical chart review showed that about 96% of medical records included patients’ smoking status (Ask). Almost 88% received smoking cessation advice from the physician (Advice). Only one patient received smoking cessation assistance (self-help material) (Assist). We could not document the performance of the “Assess” component of the model at the hospital. No follow-up arrangements were done by the physicians (Arrange). Almost all patients attempted to quit after MI, but only 54.37% maintained non-smoking status at 6-12 months.

Conclusions:
The study showed that evidence-based smoking cessation practices were not properly implemented in the hospital, suggesting that opportunities to help hospitalized patients quit smoking were mainly missed. The study demonstrated the need for integration of proper cessation services in the medical care for all MI patients in Armenia.