A hint-write down your questions ahead of time. Even if these reasons are not important to you, you must talk to your family or best friend and let them know whether you want them to be involved and, if so, how-for example, not smoking in front of you or offering you a cigarette. Maybe it's time to try stopping with a group of people. Groups usually last 45 to 60 minutes once a week for 1 to 3 weeks before the quit date and then 1 to 3 weeks after the quit date. A specialist Many, but not all, addiction counselors, health educators, nurses, psychologists, and physicians have experience helping smokers stop smoking.
Some new treatments require a physician's prescription.
Sometimes this is just recorded tips, but now, many health plans, wellness programs, state health departments, and drug companies that sell smoking-cessation medications offer free, advice over the phone from a real person. Often this advice consists of personalized quitting plans and ongoing supportive counseling. All of the organizations in the box on page 4 offer pamphlets and books with many tips to help smokers stop smoking. It's best to pick out a few tips especially important to you in your attempt to quit. Some health plans cover smoking-cessation treatment, but others do not.