N-O-T (Not On Tobacco)
N-O-T is a state-of-the-art program specifically designed for teenagers that want to stop smoking. N-O-T helps teens stop smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke.
N-O-T is the American Lung Association's school-based voluntary program designed to help high school students stop smoking, reduce the number of cigarettes smoked, increase healthy lifestyle behaviors and improve life management skills.
N-O-T is implemented by teachers, counselors, nurses or health educators, trained by the American Lung Association, in schools and community settings.
N-O-T is recognized by several federal agencies:
FAQ
So, what is this N-O-T program I've been hearing about?
N-O-T is the brand new teen stop smoking program from the American Lung Association. N-O-T was developed just for teens; not adapted from a program for adults. It was developed at West Virginia University's Prevention Research Center by researchers who are also educators, people who know and like and work with teens. N-O-T really can help kids succeed at something that's really hard to do...stop smoking.
Why is it so hard to quit smoking?
There are lots of reasons. If you smoke, chances are your friends smoke, some family members smoke, and you've probably been smoking for a while. Everybody thinks they can quit whenever they want to, but then you try to quit and you can't. You probably can't quit because by now you're addicted to nicotine and your body craves that drug. The craving is probably stronger when you are with friends. Yes, quitting is one of the hardest things some people ever do, but the earlier you quit, the easier it may be.
NOT take control - 10kb So, can this N-O-T program help?
Yes, N-O-T can help teens to quit smoking (or at least cut back to smoking much less) because it has all the information you need and has a really good plan to help you. It's the first program that has separate boys' and girls' groups so that teens can relax and talk about issues that are most important to them. The groups are led by specially trained facilitators from your school-maybe coaches or teachers or counselors-people who like teenagers and can treat them like adults. And the N-O-T group is filled with other teens who want to quit smoking too, so you're all working towards the same thing and you're not trying to do it alone.
So, if I did join the N-O-T group at my school, what would I get out of it?
Well, first, you'd have a good chance at really quitting smoking. Goodbye to smelly clothes, yellow teeth, and all that money down the drain! You'd be a part of a team-a team working together to do what you know you want to do, quit smoking for good. You'd have a great adult coaching you, cheering you on as you go step by step through the program. You'd meet every week, during school time, to learn about the best tips and strategies to help you succeed. You'd do some neat things together that'll help everyone to smoke less, deal with their friends and parents who still smoke, and keep healthy. If you want to quit, this could be your best chance ever!
I don't smoke, but my friend does. Can N-O-T help my friend?
Sure, but first your friend needs to want to quit or no program will really help. You can help your friend, though. Encourage your friend to think about quitting. If he or she decides that the time has come, then encourage your friend to sign up for N-O-T and then you can be a real help. Listen to your friend, be understanding about how hard it is to quit, and try to overlook a bit of temporary irritability. Be your friend's best cheerleader...encourage, support and celebrate your friend's hard work towards quitting.
Don't let tobacco ruin your life, we can help you quit! Call your local office today and ask for a Tobacco Coordinator to find out when the next N-O-T program will be starting up!
