Quit smoking support groups are becoming more and more popular as smoking becomes less and less acceptable in society at large. Health insurance companies, employers and government bodies all offer incentives or inexpensive assistance to quit smoking. The benefits to these groups are obvious: Insurance companies don’t want to pick up the tab for medical expenses incurred by smoking related illnesses. Employers won’t have to pay for the time of smokers out on sick leave or cigarette breaks. Governments don’t want to spend money saving the lives and health of patients in hospital because of smoking – in this case, prevention is always less expensive than cure.
The finances of cigarette manufacturers have been undermined in recent years by lawsuits. The much publicized litigation has resulted in the tobacco companies forking over many millions in awards to smokers who have suffered the ill effects of inhaling their product. The cigarette companies too have realized that they should be enabling and encouraging people to quit smoking. One of the best places to look for help in quitting smoking is the website of your favorite brand of cigarettes. Often, local quit smoking support groups will be listed there.
Other quit smoking online support can be sought from less vested interests. Quit smoking support groups that are run by professionals provide counselors who assist over e-mail and forums. However, be warned: Some fraudsters may ask for money upfront before you sign up to a quit smoking support group. Unless the quit smoking online support service comes highly recommended with plenty of positive reviews, you should be wary of anyone asking for a signup fee. There will also be plenty of free groups in your area and government-sponsored support.
Watch Your Lungs, And Your Liver Will Take Care of Itself!
Bizarrely, in states and countries where public smoking bans have not yet been put in place, many bars and taverns are holding quit smoking support group meetings and encouraging their establishment within their smoky environments. Smoke-free rooms and areas in the bars are assigned to the support groups, and they congregate to have a few drinks and share their experiences. Meanwhile, the bars in those states in which legislation obliges a completely smoke free environment are also doing good business encouraging smoking support groups to gather in their drinking emporia.
This makes sense: In many states and countries where anti-smoking legislation has been introduced, bar owners have noticed a significant drop in customers. The smoking ban has actually had a detrimental effect on the number of people going to bars. So bar owners are targeting the ex-smokers who can now visit the bar without having the temptations of the evil weed placed before them.
It doesn’t matter who’s encouraging you to quit. It doesn’t matter what their ulterior motives are. The fact that you’re being assisted in kicking the habit by a quit smoking support group can only be a good thing.
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