EX: Helping Smokers Re-learn Life Without Cigarettes

Overview

• EX is a comprehensive national campaign that provides free resources designed to help smokers create their own plan to quit smoking at www.BecomeAnEx.org.

• EX encourages smokers to approach quitting smoking by “re-learning life without cigarettes.” EX provides smokers with information that can help them prepare for a quit attempt by:

• EX helps smokers understand when and why they smoke each cigarette, so that they can break down their quit attempt into manageable pieces. As part of the preparation for quitting smoking, EX teaches smokers how to break the “glue” that holds each cigarette to its “trigger,” so when they do actually stop smoking, they will be better prepared and more confident in their ability to quit successfully.

• In 2000, 70 percent of smokers said that they wanted to quit, but only about five percent were successful long-term– a fact that shows that while smokers may know why they should quit, they just don’t know how.
  
• EX offers action-oriented information on how to quit successfully using proven methods. It was created by the American Legacy Foundation, a national independent public health foundation dedicated both to preventing youth from smoking and providing resources to help smokers quit, with input from tobacco treatment experts at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic and input from state partners.
  
• EX is presented by the National Alliance for Tobacco Cessation, a collaboration of several national organizations and state public health programs, including the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust and Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Web Resources

All national advertising drives smokers to BecomeAnEX.org, where they can create a plan to “re-learn life without cigarettes.” The site contains the latest news and information in text and videos, as well as action-oriented content organized in the following sections:

• “Re-learn Habit” – In addition to being an addiction, the act of smoking includes a number of behavioral components that can greatly increase the difficulty of quitting. All smokers have “triggers,” which are activities, things, or feelings that make them want to smoke. EX teaches smokers how to recognize and overcome their triggers as part of the preparation before a quit attempt. That way, they are better prepared to deal with their triggers when they do actually stop smoking.

• “Re-learn Addiction” -- Many smokers do not fully understand the addictive nature of nicotine, and how prolonged use of cigarettes has actually altered their bodies to make it more difficult for them to quit. EX provides details from the experts at Mayo Clinic on the physical aspects of addiction and how various types of medication can greatly increase smokers’ chances for quitting successfully. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as the nicotine patch, gum and lozenge, or FDA-approved, non-nicotine prescription drugs can ease nicotine withdrawal and help smokers deal with their cravings. However, many smokers falsely believe some of these types of medications contribute to nicotine addiction. EX debunks the myths associated with quit-smoking medications and walks smokers through the detailed steps it takes to break nicotine addiction. 

• “Re-learn Support” -- Family members, friends and co-workers can offer support that makes a difference when smokers are trying to quit. EX provides smokers with information on how to engage these people for help – even if it’s just asking for some space. The EX website will also allow users to connect with other smokers in an online community.

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