According to a study by Dr. Nicholas Christakis of Harvard Medical School and James Fowler of the University of California, San Diego, reported in the New York Times May 22, 2008, people are much more likely to stop smoking and stay stopped if they belong to a group of like-minded individuals who are also stopping or have stopped already. Further, those in such groups who found it impossible to stop smoking eventually gave in to peer pressure and stopped smoking or were ostracized by the group becoming social outcasts.

Researchers found that to improve odds of stopping smoking, those seeking to quit should seek the company of others wanting to quit or encourage smoking friends to join them in their cessation effort – creating their own social support group.

I’m all about improving the odds. Stopping smoking can be a monumental task. By allying yourself with others wanting to stop, you make the job a whole lot easier. Further, when you do stop, your social group will help you stay stopped. Now that’s a good deal.

Read more about this at the NY Times web site.

And to help you stop smoking and stay stopped, buy my book, You Can Stop Smoking and Stay Stopped Forever – available online at 1derworks.com and Amazon.com.