Related topics: •  Smoking & Tobacco Center •  Smoking Cessation Classes

There are all kinds of smoking cessation groups out there, from free sessions in church basements to tailored on-the-job programs in corporate conference rooms, in styles ranging from wide-open discussions to somber-toned 12-step programs. Some, like the Kaiser Permanente program, have a revolving clientele, with beginners trading anecdotes with veterans.

You can find classes through your local hospital, public health department, or church or call your doctor for a referral to classes. The American Lung Association has a free online smoking cessation program that you can join through their website, http://www.lungusa.org.

When you do find a class, you'd do well to investigate it before signing up, according to 7 Steps to a Smoke-Free Life, a book published by the American Lung Association to help people stop smoking. Here are some good questions to ask:

•Is the program convenient? Ask about where it's conducted, how long sessions last, and what time of the day they're held. If it's inconvenient for you, you might make excuses not to go.

•Is the staff well-trained and professional? Ask who'll be leading the group. If the program involves hypnosis, the practitioner should have a license or be certified in psychiatry, psychology, or social work.

•Does the program provide what you need? Find out whether the group emphasizes lectures or group discussions.

•What is the success rate? A good program follows up on participants for at least three months. Don't be surprised if the success rate sounds low. In many programs, only one out of four or five people stays off cigarettes afterwards for at least a year.

•How much will it cost? Price isn't necessarily the best gauge of how good a program is. Many of the most successful programs are free to participants. You might ask your employer or health plan whether there is a subsidized program that will help you stop smoking. If so, you may be able to take advantage of it at a reduced price.

-- Edmund Newton is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and a former reporter for the Los Angeles Times.

Further Resources

American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/PED_10_3x_Find_Support.asp?

Type in your zip code on the site to be connected to a list of places that sponsor smoking cessation groups.

American Lung Association

http://www.lungusa.org/

Join their free online smoking cessation program, Freedom from Smoking

SmokEnders

www.smokenders.com

Offers community seminars as wel as a Learning to Quit Kit that is designed to help you quit on your own.

References

Last updated June 10, 2009
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