In Mary's case, where insurance covers her quit aids completely, which stage of change is she in?

In the scenario where insurance covers Mary's quit aids completely, she is most likely in the action stage of change. This stage is characterized by individuals actively implementing strategies to quit tobacco use, which includes utilizing resources such as quit aids to support their efforts. The fact that she is using aids provided by her insurance suggests that she is taking concrete steps toward cessation, indicating her commitment to change and her proactive approach to overcoming tobacco addiction.

In contrast, other stages such as preparation involve planning and making arrangements for quitting but not necessarily taking direct action. Maintenance would imply that Mary has already quit and is focused on sustaining her non-smoking status, while pre-contemplation indicates that an individual has not yet considered quitting, often underestimating the need to stop. Mary's use of quit aids indicates a readiness and commitment to change, which aligns with being in the action stage.