At which stage of change is a client likely to be if the cons of quitting smoking outweigh the pros two to one?

In the context of the stages of change model, a client is most likely in the precontemplation stage when they perceive the cons of quitting smoking to outweigh the pros significantly. In this stage, individuals are typically not actively considering change and may be unaware of the negative impacts of their behavior or dismissive of the benefits of changing. The focus during precontemplation is often on rationalizing or minimizing the need for change, which aligns with the scenario where the client views the disadvantages of quitting as far more significant than the advantages.

In contrast, individuals in the contemplation stage would be weighing the pros and cons more evenly and considering the possibility of making a change. Those in the preparation stage are actively planning for a change, and individuals in the action stage are already implementing the changes in their behavior, such as quitting smoking. Therefore, the considerable imbalance in the perception of pros and cons indicates a precontemplation mindset.