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Archive-name: support/stop-smoking/faq/part1
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             FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

                         FOR

              ALT.SUPPORT.STOP-SMOKING (AS3)
              ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last Updated: July 1997


The sublimity of wisdom is to do those things living, which are desired
when dying
 - unknown


Part 1: The AS3 family, and how we can help you and each other

1. What is a FAQ?

A FAQ is a collection of Frequently Asked Questions occurring in a
particular newsgroup. The AS3 FAQ strives to inspire as well as inform. And
we would like you to know that contrary to the custom of many other Usenet
groups, if you bring up a topic that has been discussed before, you will
not be flamed nor "sent to the FAQ" (though it may be recommended to you).
In other words, we won't mind.

2. What is Alt.Support.Stop-Smoking?

Alt.Support.Stop-Smoking is a Usenet newsgroup - a public forum for
discussion of a particular topic - formed in the Spring of 1994 to support
those who have quit or are planning to quit smoking or using tobacco in
other forms (e.g., dipping). The group's creator, Bob Munzenrider, formed
AS3 under the 'alt.' hierarchy because it was the most expedient way to get
the group on the 'net. Anyone who gets something out of, and perhaps
contributes to, the group can consider themselves to be a member - there
are no forms to fill out, dues to pay, or hazing rituals. :) Some members
have years of smoke-free time behind them; others are just beginning to
think about quitting. No matter what stage you are in, your experiences and
thoughts will help someone, and someone else's will help you.

In our newsgroup we strive to respond to every initial post made by a
newcomer. Therefore, even if you are brand-new yourself, please jump right
in and help us meet that goal. You don't have to have 10 years of freedom
from smoking to tell someone who is having a bad craving, "Hang in there,
we are rooting for you!" In fact, the person with 3 smokeless days behind
her can be the best help to someone in their first hours of quitting; and
the one who's going through the first hours can help remind those with
months and years of smobriety behind them why they don't want to start
smoking again.

Venting one's frustrations is encouraged in this group, and you are
certainly welcome to pour your heart out. We do ask, however, that you keep
the flames (angry or testy replies) to a minimum. Usually, prefacing a
controversial or alternate opinion with "IMO" or "IMHO" ("in my [honest]
[humble] opinion"), or qualifying with "YMMV" ("your mileage may vary") or
"in my experience ..." will keep the fur from flying.

John Diedrichs ([e-mail]) offers some words of wisdom on the
topic of virtual communication [taken from a longer post on Usenetiquette]:

"Communicating without misunderstandings is hard enough when you're
standing face-to-face and speaking the same language.  It's harder when
you're on the telephone. Here in Usenet, it's almost like two tin cans tied
together with a string.  Add to that the linguistic and stylistic
differences that go with all the different flavors of English spoken by so
many around the world, and it makes for a very "interesting" form of
communication.

"And, since we cannot *hear* your voice over Usenet, it can help if you use
'emotional punctuations' like smileys :-) grins <g> winks ;-) and frowns
:-( in your writing.  This helps to avoid misunderstandings.

"Happy quitting to all... and to all a good life!"


3. What are the basic rules of "Netiquette"?

[An excellent site for learning about Usenet, Netiquette, and the Internet
generally is Brendan Kehoe's Zen and the Art of the Internet at
<http://www.cs.indiana.edu/docproject/zen/zen 1.0_toc.html>]

There are a few courtesies with which posters are asked to comply
throughout Usenet generally.  They fall under the blanket term "Netiquette"
(Usenet etiquette), a simple code of behaviour which developed for
practical reasons.  Here's a quick rundown:

  a. Lurking.
In most newsgroups, you are requested to "lurk" (read but not post) around
a newsgroup for a few days before joining the conversation.  By lurking,
you get a feel for a group's character, its conventions, and the people who
post to it. You don't have to do this in AS3!  Jump right in and post as
often and as much as you need to, BUT if you're thinking of posting to an
ongoing argument or an angry thread which seems to focus on personalities
and not on smoking/quitting issues, it might be a good idea to hold that
post aside for a day or two, before you join the fray.  In fact, the best
defense is often no defense.  See "Flaming," below.

  b. Flaming.
To flame someone is to insult them, their post, their dog, etc.  Flaming
someone who posts to the group in order to sell something is a
time-honoured AS3 tradition which can help you release your anger and
frustration.  Go ahead! It's always open season on Composters (just be sure
that's what you've got in your sight).  But it helps no one when you flame
your fellow AS3 members. Your flame will in turn get a flaming response, a
flame war ensues, and soon the "support" in "alt.support.stop-smoking" goes
out the window.  The best way to put the fire out is to not feed it.

  c. Cross-posting
A cross-post is one that has been directed (i.e., in the To line of the
header) to more than one newsgroup.  If it is necessary for you to
cross-post, then do so; if not, avoid it - it can cause trouble.  Often
people don't look at the headers of posts and therefore don't realize that
you've cross-posted. Suppose you wanted to send fan mail to Will Wheaton
and you asked for his address in both rec.tv.star-trek and alt.wesley
crusher.die.die.die ?  You can imagine the ensuing fireworks caused by
bringing these two groups together.

The thing to remember about a cross-post is that whenever anyone follows-up
to the thread, that post is also going to all the other groups in the
header. You can avoid this by checking the header of your reply and
deleting any groups not appropriate to your reply.

  d. Quoting
It is often necessary to include some of the post to which you're replying
when you follow-up, because you'll want some context in order for your
comment to make sense.  But it is seldom necessary to quote the *entire*
post.  Cutting out any text you don't need saves bandwidth (what
information travels on from one computer to another) and helps the Internet
community in two ways:  first, it saves your readers time (and often money)
by not making them download any more bytes than necessary; and second, the
less information crowding the bandwidth, the faster and smoother the
Internet operates for everyone.

  e. Posting E-mail
IMHO, it's just plain rude to post private e-mail.  If someone is sending
you aggravating, harassing, or threatening e-mail and they don't stop when
you ask them to, complain to their Internet provider.  You can usually
reach someone's ISP by mailing postmaster@<site.domain>; or you can look
for the ISP's home page on the WWW, which will usually offer links to the
e-mail addresses of their staff.  If that fails, contact the staff at your
own ISP and ask them to filter out that person's mail.


4. How do I access the newsgroup?

I wish I could tell you. How you access Usenet (the newsgroup branch of the
Internet) depends upon factors such as which operating platform you use,
which software for newsreading you have, and how your Internet Service
Provider (ISP) has configured things. Most ISPs provide on-line help; try
looking there for instructions on how to subscribe to a newsgroup.
Otherwise, consult the staff at your ISP, another user at your ISP, or your
computer guru. Don't be scared off, though - it isn't as complicated as it
sounds. :)

5. Why Alt.Support.Stop-Smoking?

Posted by Ian Fraigun, August 1995:

"Joyce, you have hit exactly on why this group has seen so much success
among its posters, even those with a number of relapses  before final
success. First, everyone here is going, or has  recently or not so recently
gone, through the exact same thing.  Second, nobody will give you negative
judgements if you do slip or  relapse, just encouragement to get back on
the wagon. Third,  cussing ranting raving whining and all those other
no-no's in  polite society are accepted here if it helps get you through
the  night or day or hour or minute or whatever. Last, besides the great
suggestions and helpful information, we can get to see      people with as
little willpower as we have who are succeeding, and that builds our resolve
and determination in the tough times so we can continue on our quest. I can
still think of at least 5      occasions where just the thought of the
people here and telling   them I had slipped was the only thing that kept
me from bumming   and smoking one. I might still be where I am today but
surely not  without a number of slips on the path. Nothing I have ever seen
before has had the impact on me that this group has and I will be around
for many years because I see the support and kind words keeping me
smoke-free the rest of my life."

6. I need help! Why isn't anyone answering my post?

AS3 is an unmoderated Usenet group. That means that your post goes directly
to the group, not through another person (a "moderator"). Posts are never
screened, cancelled, or altered by anyone. Also, no one on the group can
control the flow of posts. But sometimes there are problems on newsservers,
and posts don't appear in a timely fashion. Posts generally appear on your
own server before they show on anyone else's, so don't be discouraged if
your post isn't answered right away. Another possibility is that you don't
have your newsreader set to display enough articles. If you feel panicked
because you need an answer or just someone to moan to, e mail a group
member - any or several of us who seem like people you might want to talk
to.

7. Who runs the group?

Well, no one, in fact, and everyone. It's a self-monitored anarchy in the
fine tradition of Usenet. But there are people who handle, voluntarily,
various administrative functions. If you have a comment or would like to
know more about any of these areas, here are the people to contact:

The Webmaster of the AS3 Home Page on the WWW is:
     Barry Pekilis, [e-mail]
The Webmaster of the AS3 Asian mirror site is:
     John Diedrichs, [e-mail]
The Webmaster of the AS3 European mirror site is:
     David Probert, [e-mail]
Poster of the FAQ and COMPOST
     Ian Fraigun, [e-mail]
If you would like to contribute to or comment upon the FAQ contact:
     Liorah Golomb, [e-mail]
Anything relating to the Quit List or the Milestones List, including
requests to be added to the QL, contact:
     Judy Marshall ([e-mail])

If you would like to see the group's policy on commercial posting, link to
it through the AS3 home page.

And special thank yous go to:

Nigel Bamford
     Creator and original keeper of the first AS3 WWW Home Page
Eric Stoneking
     Former FAQ and COMPOST poster
Bob Munzenrider
     AS3 Newsgroup Organizer; our Founding Father :)
John Nobel
     Creator and original keeper of the FAQ and the QUIT LIST
Nadav Vissel, Carol Clark
     Former maintainers and posters of the QUIT LIST and THE MILESTONES

and to every AS3 member, past, present, and future.

8. Does AS3 have a political agenda?

Emphatically NOT. Our only focus is on recovering from nicotine addiction.
Though one may engage in the occasional rant, and information (from the
Tobacco BBS, for example) is always welcome, we avoid engaging in
discussions on topics such as smokers' rights, second-hand smoke, or the
relative merits of the use of or abstention from tobacco products. If
you're looking for a heated emotional argument of such topics, there are
other newsgroups for that purpose.

9. What's the discussion like? Are you all biting each other's heads off in
a nicotine-withdrawal frenzy?

Not usually. :) Not only are we civil in general, but time and time again,
people call us the friendliest group on Usenet. We do a lot of cheering
each other on, but we also provide information and the benefit of our
experiences. Here's a sample of a typical thread:

[Many snips throughout ....]

Bob:

     "I have the impression that [people quitting] imagine that when it's
all gone, they will be over 'physical' withdrawal, whatever that means --
as though the nicotine is causing withdrawal symptoms. Actually, I believe
the absence of nicotine is what causes the withdrawal symptoms, so that
they never really end; it's more like you find a way to deal with them,
until eventually you don't regard them as nicotine withdrawal symptoms any
more."

Nat:

    "Bob, very perceptive. I think, though that we readjust and find
normal/healthy coping strategies. Nicotine allows us to artificially cope
with stuff. I think many of us are developmentally impaired because of
this."

Mona:

     "Hi, Bob,

     "While I don't disagree with Nat, I want to express my opinion, FWIW.

     "Of course, it's the nicotine ingested over time that makes us
addicted, which means our bodies are chemically dependent upon receiving
more/continued nicotine. When we quit smoking, we deprive our bodies of the
nic they've gotten addicted to. So, in the beginning of the quit, as you
say, it's the absence of nicotine that creates the withdrawal symptoms --
because we are addicted.

     "However, for me and for many others, even the initial quitting days
are not primarily about physical withdrawal. And, even for those who
experience a hard physical withdrawal from the absence of nicotine, after
the first week or two (or whenever, it varies by the person) it's a mental
fight.

     "I think that staying smober involves looking at why I smoked, what it
'did' for me, or, rather, what I imagined it did for me. I think this is
what the 'old timers' mean by 'mentally prepare for your quit'.

     "So, until and unless we re-orient our view of the cigs, we will
always feel deprived,though it will have little or nothing to do with
nicotine. It'll have to do with having viewed the cig, for all those years
we smoked, as a reward, as a time-out, as a 'safe distance' mechanism, as a
cool-down-from-stress vehicle, etc., etc. My experience during the nine
years I was smober was that I almost never thought about cigs in any way
remotely like I wanted one. In fact, that quit, after even the first couple
months, I was so damned proud of myself that even if the junkie old part of
myself momentarily thought it wanted a cig, I was clear that I was very
happy to be a non-smoker, and that 'urge' just went away, nearly instantly.

     "Of course, the fact I'm here, quitting again, the 13th time in my
life, is proof that on some days, nearly anyone can be unconscious or
stupid or downhearted enough that the cig devil sees his opportunity -- the
old junkie (me) who used the cig as emotional comfort encourages one to
have one, don't worry, you've quit all these years, you don't have to smoke
tomorrow, just let yourself have one now, when you 'need it'. HAH!

     "I hope I'll never be that unsuspecting again! I hate quitting, and
love being smober, after I get through the re-orient my mind part, again."

10. When can I start posting?

You don't have to lurk until the day you quit; if you've begun to think
about quitting, you should feel free to introduce yourself and jump into
the discussion, if you desire. It doesn't matter if you're still smoking.
Quitting is a process, not an event, and thinking about quitting is Step 1!

11. What are some of the quirky phrases and eccentricities I'll find on AS3?

During the life of the newsgroup certain phrases and customs unique to AS3
have developed. They are, among others I may have overlooked:

Clubs, Groups, 1010ers, Septenders, Rising Spirits, etc.

     Often, a few people decide to quit on the same day and they form a
subgroup of quit buddies. The first of these (in my recollection) were the
1010ers (The First Generation), a group who quit on 10 October 1994.

"Smobriety"

     This term is taken from the 12-step program Nicotine Anonymous, and
refers to smoke-free existence.

"Baby Steps"

     A philosophy introduced by group member Mary Jane Patterson that
encourages people to overcome the obstacles of smoking cessation one baby
step at a time. It worked for Mary Jane, who has been smober since
September 1994!

"Old Fogie"

     An AS3 participant with at least one year's smobriety. When you reach
Old Fogiedom you get a shiny new cyberdollar and hot tub privileges (don't
ask). :)

Year/Month/Week/Day/Hour/Minute/Second-O-Meter

     This appears after some people's signatures and measures time since
the last cigarette smoked (or plug chewed, etc.).

     For someone who had 3 weeks, 2 days, and 4 hours of smoke free time
behind them, the meter would look something like this: 3w2d4h.

     Whether you keep track of your time or not is completely up to you!
Some people prefer not to.

12. Where can I get one of those nifty meters?

Not only are AS3 subscribers intelligent, witty, sympathetic and
well-informed ... they're also creative! Several meter programs designed
for and by AS3'ers are available, free of charge - just remember to credit
the creator if you pass the meter around. You can get any of them as
instructed, or if that fails, by e-mailing the author. At minimum, the
meters calculate data such as the time you've been smober, how many
cigarettes you haven't smoked, and how much money you've saved since you
quit. Several have other features as well.

  a. For Windows:

You have a number of choices:

The original meter, written as an Excel spreadsheet by Dennis Harrigan
([e-mail]), can be downloaded from
<http://www.voicenet.com/~dennisj/>

Another meter for Windows 3.x is by Richard Geis ([e-mail]) and can
be found at <http://www.erols.com/rmgeis/quit.htm>.

David Probert's meter, for Windows 95/NT4 only, can be downloaded from
<http://www.zannalee.demon.co.uk/silkquit.html>. It's a standalone written
in C++, no extra DLL's, small, and fast. It sits on your Task Bar and just
counts...... :)

QuitTime for Windows 95 by Mark Wilden is available at
<http://www.sierratel.com/wilden/>

Quit Meter on the Orlan J. Mirkovich page at
<http://zeus.clearfield.co.nz/oom/> sits on taskbar

  b. For the Mac:

Tigger has written a meter that uses ClarisWorks and makes calculations
similar to the Windows versions. It updates on command, and has cute
graphics to cheer you on as you pass milestones. Tigger will send you the
Mac meter by request to Tigger <[e-mail]>

If you're running System 7 or better and have Apple's HyperCard Player
(usually included in the system software), try Brian Sheafer's Quitometer
stack.  It updates each time you enter the program and keeps track of time
quit (down to the second, and/or expressed as a total number of days),
money saved, and cigarettes not smoked. You can have the results pasted to
a clipboard for use in your .signature file, for example. Download the
Quitometer from <http://www.pe.net/~bsheafer/svsoftware.html>
or e-mail Brian at [e-mail] or [e-mail].

 c.  For Dos:

The old-die-hards, who still use DOS, can also get a DOS-version
of Smooky!, called DOSmooky!, written by Steven 'Goofy' de Brouwer
([e-mail]).  Visit http://come.to/dosmooky/ (*)

(*) or try the alternatives:
http://www,stack.nl/~goofy/Smooky/
http://www.stack.nl/~goofy/DOSmooky/


13. How can I tell if I'm addicted?

The World Health Organization uses these guidelines to diagnose nicotine
dependence:

ICD-10 copyright =A9 1992 by World Health Organization. Internet Mental
Health (www.mentalhealth.com) copyright =A9 1995-1996 by Phillip W. Long, M.=
D.

A definite diagnosis of dependence should usually be made only if three or
more of the following have been experienced or exhibited at some time
during the previous year:

  a. a strong desire or sense of compulsion to take tobacco;
  b. difficulties in controlling tobacco-taking behaviour in terms of its
onset, termination, or levels of use;
  c. a physiological withdrawal state when tobacco use has ceased or been
reduced, as evidenced by: the characteristic withdrawal; syndrome for
tobacco; or use of the same (or a closely related) substance with the
intention of relieving or avoiding withdrawal symptoms;
  d. evidence of tolerance, such that increased doses of tobacco are
required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses;
  e. progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of
tobacco use, increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take the
substance or to recover from its effects;
  f. persisting with tobacco use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful
consequences, such as depressive mood states consequent to periods of heavy
substance use, or drug-related impairment of cognitive functioning; efforts
should be made to determine that the user was actually, or could be
expected to be, aware of the nature and extent of the harm.

I don't know about anyone else, but I experienced all of these symptoms,
for 23 years.

14. When I quit, will I be a NON- or an EX-smoker?

Whether you call yourself a non-smoker or an ex-smoker is entirely up to
you - but you'll probably have a preference. This matter of nomenclature is
a surprisingly emotional issue! Some people use "ex-smoker" to remind them
that they are only "a puff away from a pack a day," or to remind the world
of what they have overcome. Others feel that the more they can act like a
person who has never had the smoking habit, the more likely they are to be
a person who never returns to that habit, and they designate themselves
"non smokers." Throughout this FAQ, when referring to a person who once
smoked and no longer does, I generally use "non-/ex-smoker," or if I use
one and not the other, that should not be taken as being preferential.

15. What is the Quit List?

The Quit List is a list of members' names, e-mail addresses, and dates of
quitting. It is posted to AS3 weekly by Carol Clark. The list serves as a
group directory, and also gives many people a sense of commitment,
accountability, and joy as they see newer quitters join the list, pushing
their entry down. There is no obligation to be included on the list. But if
you want to be, ask the current maintainer of the QL, Judy Marshall
([e-mail]), to put you on whenever you feel ready: before your
quit date, once you've established one; the week of your quit date; or at
any point afterwards. Judy is also the person to contact when your
information changes. To guarantee that she sees your requests and updates,
contact her by e-mail rather than via the group. Also, please do not ask to
have someone added to the list without their consent; this has been known
to backfire.

16. What is the Milestones List?

The Milestones List honours, each week, those members who will be achieving
smoke-free monthly milestones by announcing their names and smoke-free
time. (That's calendar month, not each quitter's 4 weeks - that would be
too burdensome to keep track of.) It is also maintained and posted by Judy
Marshall ([e-mail]). The Milestones are taken from the Quit List;
therefore, you must be on the QL in order to appear on the ML.

17. What is the AS3 COMPOST ?

The "COMPOST" is the AS3 newsgroup's Policy On Commercial Posting. The
policy, posted each week along with this FAQ, clearly states the AS3 policy
AGAINST making commercial posts to this SUPPORT newsgroup, and warns of the
consequences of doing so. "Commercial" is defined very broadly.

It is fascinating to watch "the friendliest group on the 'Net" turn into a
bunch of rabid attack beasts when we catch the scent of a "composter."

18. Where can I find the AS3 WWW homepage?

You've probably already found it! But in case you found this FAQ from the
newsgroup:

AS3 now has mirror sites in both Europe and Asia, so access the one most
convenient to you.  Here are the URLs:

   * http://www.swen.uwaterloo.ca/~bpekilis/as3/ (Canada)
   * http://www1.asiaonline.net.tw/~as3/ (Taiwan)
   * http://www.zannalee.demon.co.uk/as3/ (Britain)


19. What archived material compiled by the AS3 newsgroup can I get free of
charge?

The AS3 Archive contains classic posts, most of which originally appeared
on the AS3 newsgroup. It is available from the website, and has grown so
large that we no longer list each title in the FAQ. However, these are the
categories into which they've been divided, to give you an idea of what you
can find in the Archive:

   * AS3 Most Memorable Posts
   * The Father Don Collection
   * The Carolina Collection
   * AS3 Poems Collection
   * AS3 Quotes Collection
   * Self-Help Collection
   * Science Posts
   * Press Releases
   * Cigarette Company Mentality

20. Are there other related groups or information sources?

There are now numerous resources available on the WWW dealing with every
aspect of tobacco use and addiction. In no particular order, some great
places to start:

LIVE-ISH

You can chat in real time with AS3 folk at pretty much any hour of the day
or night, 365 days a year, thanks to the wonders of I(nternet) R(elay)
C(hat). Because these chats move around from time to time, it would be
impossible for me to keep the FAQ current with the correct channels, but
information on them appears regularly on the AS3 newsgroup. If there's no
post about IRC when you access the group, try looking in DejaNews
(www.dejanews.com). If that gets you nowhere, try asking the group where
the IRCs are - someone is sure to reply.

=46or complete information on IRCs generally, see
<http://www.rahul.net/dholmes/irc/>.

OTHER NEWSGROUPS:

Very recently, the Usenet group alt.recovery.nicotine was formed. If you're
interested in the 12 Steps method of recovery, you may find this group
works very well in conjunction with AS3. Some information from the group's
Charter:

     Purpose: To provide a place for people to share their experience,
strength, and hope concerning recovery from addiction to nicotine. To
provide a forum for the submission of articles, stories, and inquiries
dealing with nicotine addiction and recovery.

     Posts of the following types are expected:

        * Questions concerning nicotine addiction and recovery.
        * Announcements of conferences, gatherings, new meetings, etc.
        * Experiences related to quitting the use of nicotine.
        * Success stories from those who have quit.
        * Concerns related to quitting.
        * News from Nicotine Anonymous groups around the world.

=46or more information, contact the proponent of alt.recovery.nicotine: Bill
P. <[e-mail]>

WEBSITES
This is just to get you started. Visit the AS3 WWW page for more links to
health, addiction, and related sites

THE MASTER ANTI-SMOKING PAGE - http://www.autonomy.com/smoke.htm
     Remember, it's anti-smoking, not anti-smoker; don't get too worked up
about the name, just enjoy the resources. This page attempts to link to
every related site on the Internet and includes gopher sites and Usenet. It
also offers the Smoke No More Forum, for the interactive exchange of
thoughts.

THE NO SMOKE CAFE - http://www.clever.net/chrisco/nosmoke/cafe.html
     A cool, smoke-free place to hang and chat.

TOBACCO BBS - NEWS AND RESOURCES - http://www.tobacco.org/
     The granddaddy of hard-news information resources, garnered from the
media, medical journals, and other (fairly) respectable sources. Centred
mostly around U.S. news and politics, but trying to expand its geographic
focus. The place to look to keep up with the action in Washington, D.C.
Also contains excellent links.

NICNET: THE ARIZONA NICOTINE AND TOBACCO NETWORK -
http://www.medlib.arizona.edu/~pubhlth/tobac.htm
     More great links and news from places like the National Cancer
Institute; reports on studies of various quitting tools and methods; home
of a free discussion list, TOBACTALK: Sharing Ideas and News (see NicNet
page for a link to subscribe). Don't forget to see those once-secret
tobacco company documents!

ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH (ASH) HOME SITE - http://ash.org/
     In their concise words, "a [U.S.] national organization devoted solely
to the problems of smoking and to protecting nonsmokers' rights." Good
information on lobbying efforts in particular, and samples from their
bimonthly newsletter; but be aware, this is a lobbyist group, and they
require a contribution of $15US or more for much of their information.

     Considering how much more spending power the tobacco lobbyists have,
you may decide it's worth contributing the savings of your first
unpurchased carton of cigarettes.

SMOKING FROM ALL SIDES - http://www.cs.brown.edu/people/lsh/smoking.html
     Many more items on the side of ceasing tobacco use, than there are in
favour of using it. Smoking, dipping, etc. are becoming very difficult
practices to defend.

SELF-HELP PSYCHOLOGY MAGAZINE (formerly Practical Psychology Magazine) -
http://cybertowers.com/selfhelp/
     An online general psychology publication dedicated to the art of
living well - off the net. They carry various types of information and
services, which include a full department on Addictions (including
nicotine). Articles are posted monthly in an easily-read, "how-to" format.
Your feedback is strongly encouraged.

ALT.SUPPORT.STOP-SMOKING HOME PAGE - http://www.swen.uwaterloo.ca/~bpekilis/=
as3
     The home page of "the friendliest group on the net." :)

OFF THE WWW:

NOSMOKE (formerly SMOKE-FREE) E-Mail List

NOSMOKE is an e-mail list, meaning, the discussion comes to your mailbox
rather than to a Usenet group, and is not presented in public as Usenet is.
NOSMOKE describes itself as "a support group for people recovering from
addiction to cigarettes. Anybody with an interest in quitting smoking or in
helping others quit smoking is encouraged to participate in the
discussions."

Nosmoke is a very high volume list. Sometimes there are in excess of 100
posts per day.  If this is not a problem for you, then just follow the
instructions here:

NOTE NEW INSTRUCTIONS

NOSMOKE now subscribes people on an individual basis rather than through an
automated listserv. To request a subscription, send e mail to the list
owners: Ro ([e-mail]) or Linda ([e-mail]).

21. Can you recommend any books on quitting smoking?

The bulk of this brief bibliography is courtesy of Pete Dako. If you can
recommend others, particularly in languages other than English, please
e-mail [e-mail].

CAUTION. PLEASE NOTE (and I can't overemphasize this): these
recommendations fulfill the requirements of the Compost in every way: they
are available through libraries and from bookshops, and no one in the group
profits from their use or sale. It is acceptable to recommend a published
title that fits these requirements; it is not acceptable to advertise one's
own book, or to advertise on behalf of an associate.

   * Riley, Gillian. How to stop smoking and stay stopped for good (London
: Vermilion, c1992). 144 pp.
   * Holmes, Peter, and Peggy Holmes. Out of the ashes: help for people who
have stopped smoking. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Deaconess Press, 1992). 280 p.
   * Farquhar, John W. and Gene A.Spiller. The last puff: ex smokers share
the secrets of their success. (New York : W.W. Norton, 1990.)
 *Rustin, Terry A., M.D. Keep Quit! A Motivational Guide to a Life Without
Smoking. (Hazeldon, 1996)
* Rogers, Jacquelyn, You can stop smoking. (Pocket Books, 1995). 304 pp.
  *Carr, Allen. The Easy Way To Stop Smoking (Penguin, 1987).
  *Carr, Allen. The Only Way To Stop Smoking Permanently (Penguin, 1995).
Deals with other drug addictions as
well as nicotine addiction.

[from Pete Dako]

     In addition to those books, once I'd gone through early withdrawal I
found books with more political focus about the tobacco industry really
motivated me to never start smoking again.

Specifically: Merchants of Death: The American Tobacco Industry, 1988 by
Larry C. White

The Cigarette Underworld, 1985, edited by Alan Blum M.D.

Gilded Leaf : Triumph, Tragedy, and Tobacco : Three Generations of the R J
Reynolds Family and Fortune by Patrick Reynolds, Tom Shachtman, 1989

Smokescreen : The Truth Behind the Tobacco Industry Cover-Up by Philip J.
Hilts. 1996.

     Happy Reading!

22. Is there anything fun about quitting smoking?

Sure! You'll be among =00=00=00=00=00=00=06`ful and varied group of people,=
 many with a
great sense of humour. Here's a sample:

Smoking quotes contributed by "Father Don" <[e-mail]>:

     I phoned my dad to tell him I had stopped smoking. He called me a quitt=
er.

 - Steven Pearl

     OF COURSE I'm your friend, Albert - An' I'll STILL be your friend even
if you KEEP ON smokin'... Jes' not for as LONG is all...

  - Pogo, "Walt Kelley's Pogo" strip (Doyle and Sternecky)

 Quitting smoking is easy, I've done it hundreds of times.

 - Mark Twain

 I have seen many a man turn his gold into smoke, but you are the first who
has turned smoke into gold.
 - Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Walter Raleigh

     I'll tell you why I like the cigarette business. It cost a penny to
make. Sell it for a dollar. It's addictive. And there's a fantastic brand
loyalty.
 - Warren Buffett, new head of Salomon Brothers investment firm.

 What did you answer when you very first died and that angel asked you if
you preferred smoking or non-smoking?

 - Man in Hell to another, "Bizarro" cartoon by Dan Piraro

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Thoughts to close the Alt.Support.Stop-Smoking FAQ, Part 1:

     Cigarettes bring temporary relief of the symptoms caused by the use of
cigarettes.
 - Unknown; posted by Carolina Johnson

     Smoking is a chronic disease and quitting is a process. Relapse and
remission are part of the process. As long as you're continuing to make
progress toward the ultimate goal of being smoke-free, you should feel good
about your achievement.
 -  Psychology Today Magazine.

Please go on to Part 2.