What stage of change is represented if a client cannot imagine their life without cigarettes?

The stage of change represented by a client who cannot imagine their life without cigarettes aligns with pre-contemplation. In this stage, individuals are typically unaware of the negative consequences of their behavior or have not yet considered the possibility of change. They might not see the need to quit smoking and often deny that there is a problem, leading to an inability to visualize a life without tobacco. This lack of awareness and motivation is a key characteristic of the pre-contemplation stage, as individuals have not begun to think about making a change in their smoking habits.

The other stages such as action, preparation, and maintenance involve varying degrees of readiness and commitment to quitting. In action, individuals actively work on quitting, while in preparation, they may be making plans to quit soon. Maintenance focuses on sustaining the change post-quitting. Therefore, if a client is unable to conceptualize life without cigarettes, they are most likely in the pre-contemplation stage.