Comments on: Can ‘Quit Smoking’ Contests Help People Kick The Habit?

By: Hugh

Hugh — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:02:37 +0000

What got me to stop smoking after more than 20 years is that I became so destitute that I didn’t have enough money left in my pocket or bank account to afford another carton. With no prospects to fund the continuation of my addiction I did what had been so illusive til that point. I dropped cigarettes from my budget and although I still go through long bouts of being broke, I effectively have one less monkey on my back. It’s not my recommendation to have to go that route, as it’s fraught with danger of not coming out the other side, but I have been able to afford more Prozac to see me through the rougher spots ;} No, I mean if you’re willing to have that internal dialog with yourself, and be able to reset some priorities and can afford to buy enough nicotine patches to have as a bowl of cereal each morning ,} I mean the way it is with me is if gas prices keep on going up, pretty soon I won’t be able to afford to fart.

By: Donna Dee

Donna Dee — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:26:29 +0000

In our senior year of college, my best friend was offered $300 by a friend if she could stop smoking until graduation – 3 months away. Not only did she immediately stop smoking, she even ended up declining the payoff after graduation. She was just so grateful to be rid of the habit.

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:39:05 +0000

hi Angelique, seems you know more than you think cause the cochrane collaboration (and I) agree with you.

in situations where you are trying to get people to give up smoking etc, the incentives do not offer long lasting results…

By: Angelique

Angelique — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:17:22 +0000

I’ve always felt that whenever contests like this are over, the participants have no reason to continue. Essentially, they’ve never learned how to change their lifestyle for good, only how to compete and win against others. That’s a valuable skill, of course, but not conducive to long-term results when it comes to smoking cessation, weight loss, et cetera.

(Of course, what the heck do I know? *smiles*)