Erin Thompson, Content & Social Media Marketing Manager:

Now it's easier than ever to get updates from the healthy behaviors company's evidence-based programs. We've been building community on our Quit For Life Program and Mind & Body Program Facebook fan pages and expanding our efforts to deliver thought-provoking content through Twitter @Quit_For_Life and @Mind_and_Body. Visitors to these pages find encouragement and tips for program participants and others who are interested in learning how to practice healthy behaviors, as well as news items relevant to each of the programs.

But what do you do if you don't have time to check each site for news? No problem - now you can sign up to have updates from the Twitter pages, Facebook fan pages, and the Free & Clear blog delivered straight to your Gmail inbox. Check us out on Google Buzz at Free & Clear Inc, Quit For Life Program, and Mind & Body Program.

Thanks for listening!

Erin Thompson, Content & Social Media Marketing Manager:

When I think about superheroes, I think about courage.

Gary Ploski showed courage when he challenged the Supercool Creative ad agency to change their logo – an image of a Superman look-alike with a cigarette dangling from his lips. On Twitter, Gary reached out to Supercool, saying “Your superhero…is smoking? That’s not really cool.”

Will Chamberlain showed courage when, on his first day as Supercool’s social media strategist, he went straight to his management team with Gary Ploski’s complaint.

Supercool Creative’s management team showed courage by trusting their newest hire to launch a viral campaign encouraging people to vote for Supercool to change their logo.

Smokers and former smokers know a lot about courage. Smokers who make the decision to quit are courageous. Smokers who reach out to friends and family for social support are courageous. Former smokers who pour their time and energy into encouraging those who are currently quitting – these are the true superheroes, the courageous, the super-cool. They know what it takes to fight the terrible adversary of addiction, and they are brave enough to admit the struggles that come with committing to a tobacco-free life. If you need proof, just take a look at the stories on the wall of our Facebook fan page. The determination and hope that shine from the community that has grown there is humbling.

Courage isn’t fearlessness; it’s moving forward in the midst of difficulty, facing fear and the risk of potential failure. It’s putting one foot in front of the other. It’s moving forward with the belief that change really is possible.

Join the conversation by retweeting “@SupercoolAgency Change Your Logo #LoseTheCig.”

You can also visit our online communities on Facebook and Twitter.

As Ken Wassum discussed recently in his post, "Want to be a Nonsmoker in 2010? Make Plans to Quit Now," the New Year is the most popular time to try to quit tobacco. With just a little less than two weeks to go, many smokers are weighing their options, contemplating what life would be like without tobacco, and thinking about the reasons they may choose to quit tobacco for good. If you are a tobacco user, you may have loved ones who have requested that you quit -- for your health and for theirs. Recently John Mellencamp's son started a campaign on Facebook to try to convince his dad to quit smoking. It's a heartfelt request, and a noble cause, but is a request from a loved one enough to make a quit stick?

It really depends on the individual. In order to successfully quit tobacco, it's important to find a reason to quit that that strongly, personally resonates with you. Quitting tobacco can be difficult, and having a personalized goal of better health, better finances, or better relationships with others will help you maintain focus and give you meaning during the quitting process. 

What is your reason? If you're uncertain, it may help to ask yourself the following questions:

• What are some things I used to do that I no longer can because I have to make sure my smokes are with me?
• What kind of damage am I doing to my body? How will this affect me in 10 years?
• How much money do I spend on tobacco products each year? What else could I be doing with that money?
• When I quit smoking, how will my loved ones benefit?

Of course, these are just a few questions to help get you started. If you are interested in discovering other great reasons to quit, consider downloading our brand new 2010 Reasons to Quit Facebook application. With it you can read about why others have decided to become tobacco free and you can also let the world know about your own reason for quitting. And while you're on Facebook, don't forget to become a fan of the Quit For Life Program! Building a community full of support is one of the most helpful steps in the process of quitting for life.

Best of luck to you in the New Year! And remember, we are here for you and ready to give you the support you need, when you need it.

Speck, the 14-year-old son of famous singer John Mellencamp, came up with a creative way to help his dad quit smoking. Although his heart is in the right place, Speck unfortunately might be in for a big disappointment.

According to the Associated Press, Mellencamp promised to quit smoking if 1,000,000 people joined the Facebook group titled "1,000,000 to join, my dad john mellencamp will quit smoking."

Mellencamp, a long-time smoker, has struggled with quitting since a 1994 massive heart attack. As a Quit Coach, I've talked with thousands of people in that same position. Unfortunately, quitting isn't an easy process. What makes for a successful quit is having a good, specific plan, and the internal motivation to make the change. I'm not saying that Mellencamp doesn't have the right motivation. But I do think there's got to be more to his motivation than just having a million people join a social networking group. If it were that "easy," I would recommend it to everyone I talk to.

Having motivation to quit is so important; we ask every participant about it. Not everyone has the same motivation, nor should they. We're all individuals. People tend to be more successful quitting tobacco when their motivation comes from within (internal motivation). Breathing easier, more energy, and feeling less "controlled" by tobacco are all examples of ways people can be internally motivated. External motivation is driven by situations like being nagged by a family member or a promise to a dying friend. There's no direct benefit the person quitting, although being nagged less or reducing guilt certainly feels like a benefit.

Being motivated by external factors isn't bad or wrong, but it alone cannot necessarily help someone quit or stay quit. So, if a million people joining the Facebook group doesn't work, then what? My hope for Mr. Mellencamp and son Speck is that the motivation to quit is balanced. Wanting to quit for his son is great, but that alone might not be enough to make it happen.

My advice for Mr. Mellencamp is to take inventory of all the reasons why he wants to quit, and put together a good specific plan. I'll join the Facebook group, and if he wants any help quitting, I'm happy to be his coach.

Mr. Mellencamp, I hope you'll consider calling the Indiana Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.