It is not an easy task to quit smoking, but chances of success are much higher for those who have the support they need.  To help Emory students, faculty and staff who have recently given up tobacco or want to quit but don't know how, the Faculty Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is launching new a support group.

Tobacco-Free Drop-in meetings will meet once a month and will be facilitated by a group leader who will provide education and guidance on the topic of tobacco cessation.  Participants in the sessions will benefit through group discussions and support from others who are facing the same challenges and experiences in giving up tobacco.

The idea for a support group came from participants who recently went through FSAP's Freedom from Smoking program.  "We had requests from participants for ongoing support and we felt it aligned with our goal to provide additional support and education to the Emory community as we transitioned to a tobacco-free campus," says Diane Weaver, an FSAP wellness specialist.

FSAP has seen an increase in enrollment in their tobacco cessation classes, largely due to the Tobacco-free Emory initiative.  Since December of 2011, 31 individuals have completed the Freedom from Smoking program and 18 are currently enrolled.  An additional 60 people are participating in other Emory-sponsored tobacco cessation programs, such as the Quit for Life program.

"Tobacco addiction can be very difficult to overcome and a tobacco-free lifestyle is challenging for many people to maintain," says Weaver. "Our hope is to provide ongoing support to students, faculty and staff so that they can have the continued success they are seeking."

The Tobacco-Free Drop-In meetings are free of charge and will be held the first Wednesday of every month, from noon to 1 p.m. at the Dobbs University Center, Room 355. The first meeting takes place on March 7. If interested in attending, RSVP to diane.n.weaver@emory.edu.

For information on Emory's free tobacco cessation programs, visit the Faculty Staff Assistance Program at www.fsap.emory.edu or call 404-727-WELL.