Is it the 21 year old man standing outside of the bar? Is it the lady playing slots at the local casino with a drink in her hand? Is it the young musician playing his guitar as a cigarette burns in the ashtray on the floor?

Gone are the misconceptions of what a “smoker” looks like. These are people in every big city and every small town. They are our mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters. They come from all walks of life like nurses, doctors, and politicians, teachers, students, writers and scientists. Tobacco is still acceptable and doesn’t hide in any “group” of people (as Andy talked about previously in his post, “Tobacco: The Acceptable Drug”).

For some smokers, it’s an endless battle of hiding the addiction. For others, it’s their only social outlet. But despite appearances most smokers share one thing in common: they are all struggling everyday to quit. Quitting smoking will be one of the most important things a smoker will do in his or her life. Many do not know what it is like to live as an adult who doesn’t smoke.

“They are my friend. How do I leave my best friend?”
“How do I drink a cup of coffee without a cigarette?”
“Who will I talk to? All of my friends are smokers!”

By seeking help and guidance in quitting, the experience can be much less painful. This is why there are Quit Coaches ready to help. Quit Coaches who are from all walks of life and who know that every smoker is an individual with a unique addiction to tobacco.

With the focus on individual choice, let’s celebrate the choice to quit!