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April 2, 2024   The isolation of the widowned smoker (new audio reading)

Mar. 29, 2024   My Cigarette, My Friend - AI Audio

Mar. 23, 2024   Have you heard of Zyn?

Mar. 23, 2024  Ok, so you heard of Zyn, now what?

Feb. 17, 2024   Don't fall back into the trap of nicotine addiction

Jan. 6, 2024   Addicted e-cigarette users share wisdom with experimenting teens

Dec. 17, 2023   What lessons are smokers teaching their children?

Dec. 17, 2023   Do you see yourself simply as a smoker?

Dec. 10, 2023   Falling back into the abyss of nicotine addiction

Nov. 05, 2023   Nicotine-free in 2023, it's not too late!

Nov. 01, 2023   Is Truth Initiative truthful about how smokers quit?

Oct. 13, 2023   Does nicotine use increase impulsivity?

Oct. 03, 2023   "Last line of defense (or trump card)" by OBob

Sept. 14, 2023   Pivot’s 1-year quit smoking rate is not 44%

Aug. 19, 2023   Cytisinicline stop smoking rate quintuples placebo?

July 5, 2023   Why NRT should not be provided free of charge

June 11, 2023   Poll: Were you a smoker before you started vaping?

May 18, 2023   Vaping cessation interventions: a cold turkey perspective

May 7, 2023   Poll: How do most stop vaping support group members succeed in quitting?

May 5, 2023    Cold turkey still America’s pregnancy quit smoking champ April 29, 2023   Is vaping worth asthma-like breathing?

March 20, 2023   115 reasons to stop vaping

March 14, 2023   Brains of 20-year ex-smokers primed for smoking relapse

February 2, 2023   "I love being nicotine free!"

December 27, 2022   French researchers declare nicotine addiction the winner

November 12, 2022   10 questions to ask "your smoker" during Nov. "Lung Cancer Awareness Month"

September 26, 2022   117 recent reasons to stop vaping e-cigarettes

September 13, 2022  Is Biden “Cancer Moonshot” already lost in space?

September 07, 2022  National Cancer Institute quit smoking advice promotes cancer

August 26, 2022  Use tobacco, smoke or vape? Test your cancer IQ.

August 7, 2022   More real-world evidence that NRT doesn't work

July 31, 2022   "Dear Abby's" gobbledygook stop smoking advice

July 25, 2022   How do most smokers quit?

July 15, 2022   Review: "Quit smoking weapons of mass distraction"

June 24, 2022   "Nicotine does not cause cancer." "Yes, it does."

June 3, 2022   Nearly all pregnant smokers still smoking in e-cig vs. patch study

May 30, 2022   The birth of NoNicJune

May 26, 2022   How to lose weight while quitting smoking or vaping

April 30, 2022   Denial vs. dreams

April 30, 2022   Becoming an ex-smoker

April 23, 2022   Caring for our recovery

April 17, 2022   I want "something"

April 16, 2022   "I used to be like that"

April 15, 2022   "I have smoked more than 40 years, quitting now is impossible!"

April 13, 2022   "I guess I am doing ok, I just smoked one yesterday"

April 11, 2022   I choose life

April 10, 2022   How do you handle being with smokers?

April 08, 2022   Hermit quitting vs happy quitting

April 07, 2022   Freedom: your journey to comfort

March 31, 2022   Our best crave coping tips

March 21, 2022   The cost of my first relapse

March 19, 2022   Introducing my new friend Comfort

March 18, 2022   Come to where the knowledge is!

February 1, 2022   Are "aaah" memories calling your name?

January 10, 2022   "Did mommy love smoking more than me?"

January 08, 2022   Salvaging your resolution to stop smoking or vaping

January 01, 2022   How did most ex-smokers quit smoking?

December 26, 2021   Just in time for New Year's, Never Take Another Puff 3rd edition is now available.

Originally released in 2003, the 3rd edition of NTAP includes 30 additional articles, most associated with navigating the first two weeks. NTAP is available in five different formats:


December 3, 2021   Vaping e-cigs may double risk of erectile dysfunction

November 29, 2021   Does nicotine use diminish exploration, discovery and learning?

November 16, 2021    WHO reports 1.3 billion worldwide tobacco users

November 12, 2021    No magic here   by Dave (Gold)

November 11, 2021    Google search algorithms feature health misinformation

August 16, 2021   SRNT surrenders to nicotine

July 25, 2021   Single and combo NRT ineffective among 5,589 screened Veterans

July 20, 2021   How smokers quit in a lower-middle-income country

July 3, 2021    Suicide deaths twice as high among smokers

May 18, 2021   Charleston City Paper promotes nicotine addiction

May 9, 2021    Smart Turkey: The nicotine dependency recovery guide.  A second free ebook by John R. Polito is added to WhyQuit's collection.

March 31, 2021    "Big Nic" profits from non-cessation transfer studies  John R. Polito

February 23, 2021    Nicotine: "We knowingly addicted you to an insecticide"   by John R. Polito

January 26, 2021    Sisters   by Kim (Gold) & Kelly (Gold)

January 25, 2021    Romancing the drug, recognizing the junkie   by Erica (Gold)

January 25, 2021    Recognizing needs   by OBob (Gold)

January 25, 2021    Recognizing needs: appendix   by Erica (Gold)

January 25, 2021    Reading and growth   by Roger (Gold)

January 25, 2021    Baby steps   by John (Gold)

January 25, 2021    Patience   by Roger (Gold)

January 25, 2021    A journey beyond comfort   by Roger (Gold)

January 25, 2021    "I don't want to die" - The bottom line?   Joanne (Gold)

January 18, 2021    Cold turkey prevails over counseling plus pharmacotherapy   by John R. Polito

January 16, 2021    The one puff files   by OBob (Gold)

January 15, 2021    Turning the corner ... acceptance   by OBob (Gold)

January 15, 2021    If you're "giving up" smoking   by Eric (Gold)

January 14, 2021    3 years vs. 3 days   by OBob (Gold)

December 27, 2020    Joel Spitzer, Mr. Cold Turkey, Retires

December 22, 2020    "He wanted you to know" follow-ups

December 21, 2020    Eating Healthy - Blood Sugar

December 4, 2020    OhioMagazine now selling cigarettes   by John R. Polito

November 25, 2020    Triggers - reminders from your executive assistant   Kay

November 23, 2020    Days I just wanted to die   Melissa

November 22, 2020    Yes you can ... a message from Lorraine   Lorraine

November 4, 2020    Should I really avoid smoking triggers now that I've quit?   by Joel Spitzer

October 20, 2020    4 Decades of Lies!   by Neal Curtis

October 19, 2020   How testimonials regarding quitting can help others to quit   by Joel Spitzer

October 13, 2020   Does hypnosis really generate some of the best success rates?   by Joel Spitzer

October 9, 2020    63 of Joel's original articles are now available in Persian (Farsi)   by Nima Daghighi

October 2, 2020    Are sunflower seeds or toothpicks a good substitute when quitting?  by Joel Spitzer

October 2, 2020    Quitting cold turkey during Stoptober  by John R. Polito

October 1, 2020    Quitting cold turkey during Stoptober  by Joel Spitzer

September 25, 2020    The costs of waiting for an easy way to quit  by Joel Spitzer

September 25, 2020    My new and exciting QCT program to stop smoking  by Joel Spitzer

September 25, 2020    Looking and waiting for an easy way to quit smoking  by Joel Spitzer

September 24, 2020    Arabic translation of Joel's Never Take Another Puff (PDF)  by Danny Youkhana

September 22, 2020    The first cigarette of the day  by Joel Spitzer

September 16, 2020    How to best utilize my resources to quit smoking  by Joel Spitzer

September 15, 2020    Video update of: Does smoking cause my headaches?  by Joel Spitzer

September 10, 2020    The importance of the day-one playlist  by Joel Spitzer

September 5, 2020    FDA quit smoking products again lose to cold turkey  by John R. Polito

September 2, 2020    Why do I smoke?  by Joel Spitzer

September 2, 2020   "How in the world did I actually quit smoking?"   by Joel Spitzer

August 31, 2020   Effect of secondhand smoke on pets   by Joel Spitzer

August 27, 2020   Misery loves company   by Joel Spitzer

August 27, 2020   All quits are not equal   by Joel Spitzer

August 26, 2020   "What is the harm of smoking a few more years if I am young and healthy?"   by Joel Spitzer

August 24, 2020   "What a relief, I think I have cancer!"   by Joel Spitzer

August 14, 2020   Watching others quit smoking   by Joel Spitzer

August 13, 2020   There IS more than one way to quit smoking   by Joel Spitzer

August 11, 2020   What quit smoking support sites do I recommend?   by Joel Spitzer

August 10, 2020    Chapter 14 of Freedom from Nicotine: The Journey Home, entitled Complacency & Relapse has been revised and the following individual topics are now available as HTML pages:

• Caring for your recovery
• Recovery memory suppression
• Amending the Law of Addiction
• Relapse: the perfect excuse
• Relapse: the lesson learned
• No legitimate justification for relapse
• More relapse rationalizations
• Nicotine dependency harm reduction
• Closing thoughts
• Sample recovery journal/diary

August 4, 2020   Are cigars or pipes safer than cigarettes?   by Joel Spitzer

August 2, 2020    Chapter 13 of Freedom from Nicotine: The Journey Home, entitled Homecoming has been revised and individual topics have been formatted into HTML pages. The following topics are available:

• A silent celebration
• Gradually diminishing thoughts and urges
• What should I call myself?

July 31, 2020    Chapter 12 of Freedom from Nicotine: The Journey Home, detailing Conscious Recovery has been revised and the following topics are available:

• The final truth
• Dignity's denial
• The joy of smoking
• Tearing down the wall
• Dependency rationalizations
• Cost rationalizations
• Recovery rationalizations
• Relapse rationalizations
• Conscious fixation

July 25, 2020   Real "Hell Weeks" in regards to smoking   by Joel Spitzer

July 24, 2020   The use of the term "Hell Week" when quitting smoking   by Joel Spitzer

July 20, 2020    Quitting smoking for a specific event or time frame   by Joel Spitzer

July 10, 2020    Subconscious Recovery: Chapter 11 of Freedom from Nicotine - The Journey Home (John's free ebook) has been revised and formatted into the following HTML webpages. Three additional chapters need revision and formatting. Once all pages exist in HTML format the process of updating the full-text PDF and print versions, and individual PDF chapters will commence.

• The unconscious mind
• Operant conditioning
• Classical conditioning
• Common use cues
• Crave episode duration
• Crave episode frequency
• Crave episode intensity
• The bigger the better
• Extinguishing use cues
• Cue exposure therapy
• Controlling crave episode expectations
• Crave coping techniques
• Distraction crave coping
• Relaxation crave coping
• Mindfulness crave coping
• Oral crave coping
• Seasonal, holiday and infrequent use cues

July 6, 2020    Quitting from the comfort of my own home   by Joel Spitzer June 22, 2020    Taking a 21 day challenge to quit smoking   by Joel Spitzer

June 21, 2020    Lying breath from dying lungs   by John R. Polito

June 2, 2020    "Why am I still experiencing withdrawal?"   by Joel Spitzer May 31, 2020    World No Tobacco Day: nicotine-skinned wolves   by John R. Polito

May 4, 2020: An additional chapter of Freedom from Nicotine - The Journey Home has been revised and shared in HTML format:

Chapter 9:  Physical Recovery

• Consider skipping this chapter for now
• Symptoms
• Anxiety & irritability
• Anger & impatience
• Concentration
• Sadness & depression
• Sleep & insomnia
• Hunger & appetite
• Headaches & nausea
• Breath, taste, bleeding gums and mouth ulcers
• Sore throat, coughing, quitter's flu, chest tightness
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Possible medication adjustments
• Possible underlying hidden conditions
• Celebrating two weeks of healing!

03/27/20   The time for isolation from nicotine is now   by John R. Polito

03/18/20   Quitting smoking while being in lockdown   by Joel Spitzer

03/14/20   Smoking and cabin fever   by Joel Spitzer

03/09/20   Smoking and the Coronavirus   by Joel Spitzer

03/02/20   Coronavirus, stocks, nicotine not!   by John R. Polito

02/13/20   Surgeon General: most smokers succeed cold turkey   by John R. Polito

02/05/20    2020 Surgeon General's Report on Smoking Cessation   by Joel Spitzer
01/15/20   Volunteer Heidi Jäkel's German translation of: "I'm Deborah and Smoking Has Smoked This Body."

01/16/20   "Why can’t I convince my loved one to quit smoking? I’ve tried everything." by John R. Polito

01/26/20   Volunteer Heidi Jäkel's German translation of: "He Wanted You to Know", the tragic story of Bryan Lee Curtis.

12/20/19   Pfizer, are you listening? Cold turkey remains king.

Joel's new video:

12/30/19    Feeling handicapped in your ability to quit smoking
Joel's new video:

11/19/19    Where can I get information on how to quit smoking cold turkey?

Additional Freedom posts given a permanent home at WhyQuit

11/11/19   Desperate Addict's Parade

11/13/19   Monster under the bed: by OBob (Gold)

11/13/19   Try replacing the word "cigarette" with "nicotine: by John (Gold)

11/13/19   Thinking of quitting? ... But ... by Marty (Gold)

11/13/19   Thinking vs. Wanting: by John (Gold)

11/14/19  I am an ADDICT! HooRAY! by OBob (Gold) Joel's new videos:

10/09/19    Do you want a cigarette ... H.A.L.T.

10/08/19   What does NTAP mean?
Joel's new videos:

09/16/19    Should I take up smoking to get off of vaping?

09/08/19    Severe illness and deaths linked to vaping Joel's new videos:

08/24/19    Is withdrawal prolonged with more addictive nicotine products?

08/21/19    Supercharging nicotine’s addictive potential Joel's new video:

06/03/19    Sleep disruptions and adjustments after quitting smoking 04/04/19   Fact check of FDA cold turkey fact check 03/08/19    "Am I safe smoking 2 to 3 cigarettes a day?" Absolutely not!

Joel's new video:

03/23/19    Contrary to what you may have heard – vaping is not safe 02/28/19    WARNING: Dreaming of motherhood while you smoke or vape: While another study ties nicotine use during pregnancy to ADHD, 80% still smoking when they learned they were pregnant were unable to quit. This article reviews why.

02/13/19    “If we stopped selling cigarettes tomorrow, someone else would take our place” The duplicity of Phillip Morris International's newest catch, poison and kill a wee bit longer corporate responsibly campaign is laid bare by Australian Professor Simon Chapman.

02/09/19    STUDENT ALERT: e-cigarettes & juuling are dangerous

02/06/19    Pfizer Chantix commercial steals cold turkey: Risky, expensive and ineffective real-world quitting pill masquerades as cold turkey’s lovable mascot.

02/02/19 FDA knew stop smoking product clinical trials not science-based: Hundreds of placebo-controlled NRT, Zyban and Chantix studies not blind as claimed.

Joel's new videos:

02/14/19    Kids and vaping: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure

02/09/19    Well-meaning but often meaningless advice for smokers who are quitting

02/02/19    The importance of the first three days of your quit Joel's new videos:

01/23/19    How you can help prevent kids from vaping

01/03/19    Vaping: What you can’t see can still hurt you 12/11/18    Did Ray Liotta really quit smoking with Chantix?: Facts shared in 2016 social media posts conflict with actor's 2018 Chantix claims.
Joel's new video:

11/19/18    How to help kids stop vaping Joel's new video:

10/12/18    Please hold me accountable so I can quit smoking 09/28/18   Ex-smokers antithesis of England’s 'don’t quit cold turkey' Stoptober campaign: Why would any rational government discourage and attack its nation’s most productive and effective stop smoking method?

07/18/18   Cold turkey clobbers e-cigs, NRT and Chantix: Data from a July 9 PLoS One study found cold turkey 2.6 times more effective than e-cigs and 11 times more effective than NRT in producing ex-smokers.

Joel's new video:

07/06/18    "Thank goodness it's only cigarette smoking" Joel's new video:

06/11/18    Are your odds improved next time you quit smoking?

06/11/18   Thanks to Nima we now have Persian translations of most of Joel's Reinforcement Articles:

PDF of Chapter 1: PDF of Chapter 2: PDF of Chapter 3: PDF of Chapter 4: PDF of two weight control and two youth prevention articles WhyQuit's Privacy Statement page was reviewed and updated on May 25 to indicate compliance with the EU's new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As part of WhyQuit's privacy update, all memberships at Freedom - our original support group which is now a "read-only" site - were deleted. All Freedom membership application records containing member email addresses were also deleted. These steps should aid in helping protect the privacy of former Freedom members.

Joel's new videos:

05/22/18    "I hate smoking so much that there is no way I could ever go back"

05/12/18    "You're wasting our money on cigarettes"

05/06/18    Are additive free cigarettes less addictive? Joel's new videos:

04/22/18    "I tried your resources once, why should I bother trying them again?"

04/21/18    Help! It's an emergency. I relapsed!

04/16/18    You have relapsed--now what? Joel's new videos:

03/20/18    Using deep breathing as a safe and effective quitting aid

03/15/18    How long does it take to become re-addicted to nicotine?

03/05/18    Nicotine tolerance Joel's February videos:


02/27/18    "If I go back to smoking, I'll just quit again"

02/20/18    "Why should I quit smoking, I could just get run over by a truck"

02/19/18    The smell of relapse

02/16/18    How many ways have you tried to quit smoking?

02/15/18    Possible voice improvements after quitting smoking

02/05/18    Quitting smoking should cost you nothing

02/04/18    Comparing quitting smoking experiences with others on YouTube blogs

02/03/18    A 99.9% commitment to quit smoking will fail Junkie Thinking: A page pulling together Freedom's junkie thinking posts.


01/20/18    Freedom's Law of Addiction thread: As explained immediately below, the second Freedom thread to be reformatted and receive a new WhyQuit home is The Law of Addiction.

12/25/17   Tell a newbie how many seconds a day do you still want a cigarette: This year will be devoted to salvaging and restoring as many key Freedom threads as time permits. "Tell a newbie" -- 33 pages in all -- is the first. As you may know, Freedom, WhyQuit's original support group, is no longer accepting members and is winding down. Cold turkey quitters seeking support are encouraged to visit Turkeyville, which, under Joy and Sallie's loving care now has more than 10,000 members.

Freedom's demise is a product of Facebook and Turkeyville's popularity, Freedom's new hosting company demanding substantially more money to keep the site ad free, and electronic migration from MSN to Yuku and now to Tapatalk destroying the formatting of most posts, leaving many in shambles. Restoration and rebuilding of key threads at WhyQuit will be time consuming but worth it.

Joel's January videos:

01/27/18    "Why do you even try to help THOSE people quit smoking?"

01/20/18    My YouTube outreach efforts

01/14/18    "What withdrawals should I expect when quitting smoking?"

01/08/18    AskJoel

01/06/18    "You should retitle that video"

01/05/18    Helping others see that thoughts for cigarettes do diminish over time

01/04/18    New Years 2018 YouTube channel update

01/03/18   Feeling like you are getting sick after quitting smoking

01/02/18    It's still cold outside--why this is a bigger problem for smokers than non-smokers

01/01/18    "It's cold outside, boy do I need a cigarette"