Where can I turn to for support when quitting smoking?

Host: Where can I turn to for support when quitting smoking?

Eletta Hansen: Support groups vary community by community, check with your local hospital. Here at Medicorp, we have a Tobacco Treatment Program which includes a community support group once a week. Many hospitals offer this service. They need the products that you use, many of the nicotine replacement products and the labeling will have a 1-800 number that you can call for support. Many of these quit lines are staffed 24x7 by trained tobacco counselors.

It is important that you use these services because remember the training lasts about three minutes. When you are having the toughest time, it is good to call, many state health departments have a quit line. Here in Virginia it is 1-800-QuitNow, again staffed by trained tobacco counselors who could help you, walk you through the urges and support you as you embark upon your smoke free life. You can also simply look on the internet, there are number of products out there by the American Heart, the American Lung and the American Cancer Society. The important thing is to find a support group, be it in person, by phone or by email that works for you that you get support when you quit smoking.