Stop Smoking Programs

Stop smoking programs increase your chances of finally kicking the habit. Many programs are available online and in your community. Don't allow yourself to go through this difficult time alone; others know how hard it is to quit smoking and can help you succeed.

Cessation programs can help you quit smoking!

According to the American Heart Association, four out of five smokers wish they could quit, but only 20 to 40 percent of quitters succeed after one year. The good news is that 1.3 million people do stop smoking each year.

According to the Tobacco Free website, 95% of people who do not use a smoking cessation program fail. This indicates the effectiveness of these cessation programs.

Nicotine Anonymous is one of the most popular cessation programs available in communities across the country. Volunteers who have successfully quit smoking run this free nonprofit program that provides support through discussion and using the 12-step program commonly used in Alcoholics Anonymous. You attend a weekly meeting that provides you the chance to meet others who understand what you are going through and can help you stay motivated in quitting cigarettes.

Many health insurance companies and workplaces also provide cessation programs. Health insurance companies want to see you smoke free because it lowers your risk of developing costly diseases such as lung cancer or heart disease. To find out about stop smoking programs through your workplace or health insurance, contact your employer directly.

If you don't have the time to attend meetings or want a private cessation program, the Internet provides many support websites for people attempting to quit smoking.

The American Lung Association has a program outlined for you to follow on its website. The association has three steps for you to follow:

• Step 1

Identify why you want to quit smoking, understand what your barriers are, plan what you will do when you become tempted and ask for support from family and friends.

• Step 2

Consult with your doctor about using nicotine replacement therapy. The medication used will give you smaller doses of nicotine that last longer. This way your body can slowly wean itself off the drug, and you experience fewer nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

• Step 3

Join cessation programs in your community, receive individual counseling and/or ask for encouragement from friends and family.

QUITNET is an online cessation program designed to help you successfully quit cigarettes. The site has:

• Around the clock support in its online community
• A stats calculator
• Expert advice
• Information on medication
• Self assessment tools
• E-mail through the site
• Message boards and chat rooms
• A searchable directory to find local support groups

The site is free to register, but you must pay a membership fee to take advantage of all of its services.

WhyQuit.com is a site with a support forum, informational articles and an online classroom. The online quit smoking classroom includes education and peer support. To join the classroom, you need to have quit cold turkey for at least 72 hours, and relapse is grounds for dismissal from the class.

Smokefree.gov does not have a support forum, but it does have a lot of useful information. You can read the site's steps for quitting and receive either instant messenger or phone support from a National Cancer Institute counselor.

Cessation programs are an effective way to quit smoking, but there is still a chance you may relapse. If relapse should happen, don't think you can't quit; it's just a temporary setback. Continue attending your meetings and following the steps in your chosen stop smoking program. You may have to start over, or just go back a step to get yourself back on track. Whatever you have to do, just keep your mind focused on your end goal – giving up cigarettes for good!

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