What is quit smoking programs?

A good quit-tobacco program provides support and encouragement. When looking for a program:

• Be sure it's led by someone who's trained in helping people quit tobacco.
• Avoid programs that promise to make quitting easy.
• Change your quit date to match the program date.

Quit-tobacco programs may include:

• In-person programs.

  Good in-person programs have at least 4 to 7 sessions that last for at least 20 to 30 minutes. They last at least a month past your quit date, include materials and individual or group counseling, and are affordable or free.

• Telephone programs.

  Phone-based quit programs link callers to trained counselors. One resource that's available for free is the national tobacco quitline: 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669).

• Online programs.

  Programs like www.smokefree.gov offer resources to help you quit.

• Text messaging.

  For example, SmokefreeTXT from www.smokefree.gov sends encouraging, informative text messages several times a day.