Smoking Cessation Programs
Quit Smoking with Meriter
Our smoking cessation coordinator will help you decide which program is best for you and get you on the path toward a smoke-free future.
Call 608-417-QUIT (7848) for more information.
This program is made possible by a grant from Meriter Foundation.
Quitting smoking can be very frustrating. Most people can quit for a day or two, maybe even a few months – but automatic behavior, urges, withdrawal symptoms, smoking triggers, addictive thoughts, difficult emotions and stressful situations always come up, and all of them lead to relapse.
We teach skills that help manage these life challenges. We don’t just want you to quit, we want you to learn how to quit for good.
Meriter offers two highly effective smoking cessation interventions.
Option 1: Mindfulness Training for Smokers (MTS)
Mindfulness Training for Smokers (MTS) is one of the most successful smoking cessation programs available – anywhere. In fact, success rates are 3 times higher than medication alone and 10 times higher than quitting cold turkey.
MTS is a seven-week program designed for smokers who have tried to quit and relapsed. MTS combines medications, weekly meetings and training in mindfulness. Mindfulness is a powerful tool for managing cravings, withdrawal symptoms, smoking triggers and stress. MTS is designed to teach you how to successfully manage almost every situation that can lead to relapse.
MTS is likely a good option for you if you:
- Have tried to quit before but relapsed
- Have smoked over 20 years
- Have depression, anxiety or high stress
Option 2: The Quit Line
The Quit Line is not as effective as MTS, but it takes less time and is ideal for smokers who can’t make a weekly meeting. The Quit Line combines medication with smoking cessation counseling over the phone.
The Quit Line is likely a good option for you if you:
- Have low-level addiction
- Have never tried to quit smoking before
- Cannot attend a weekly meeting at Meriter
Some Smokers Say…
“I don’t want to quit.”
FACT: When smokers say they don’t want to quit, it is usually because they don’t believe they can. We know much more about smoking now than we did 10 years ago. People who thought they never had a chance are quitting and staying quit.
“I would rather quit on my own.”
FACT: When a smoker tries to quit on their own “cold turkey,” the success rate is less than 5%. Smoking cessation in the MTS program is 10 times that high.
“Smoking probably won’t kill me.”
FACT: More than 50% of current smokers will die from smoking. If you are a smoker, it is already killing you.
“Smoking is just a bad habit.”
FACT: Nicotine is legal and doesn’t cause a “high,” but it works in the addiction part of the brain the same way heroin or cocaine does. In fact, relapse is worse for smokers than for addicts who use heroin or alcohol. Most smokers can quit, but nicotine is a real drug and staying quit is one of the hardest things a smoker will do.
“I can’t afford to quit.”
FACT: If you smoke 1 pack per day, you spend $180 per month on cigarettes. That’s over $2,000 per year. The truth about smoking is you can’t afford NOT to quit.