Counseling & Support: For People Who Have Never Had Cancer

At Memorial Sloan-Kettering, we understand the unique challenges of quitting. Our team of trained professionals offers individual and group counseling both to people who want to quit and to those who are thinking about quitting.

Why This Program Is Different

Our program is based on our extensive clinical experience in helping smokers to quit, and utilizes tools that have been demonstrated to be effective in scientific studies.

Quit Quitting

Though only about 7 percent of “self-quitters” and smokers who try to quit “cold turkey” are successful, research has shown that using a combination of cessation approaches is associated with significantly greater success. We can help you learn various individualized techniques for coping with these cravings without lighting up in Smoking Cessation Tools and Techniques.

What to Expect

The program begins with a one-hour, individual consultation with one of our smoking cessation counselors, covering the following:

  • A history of your smoking behavior and past attempts to quit
  • An in-depth look at your lifestyle, smoking patterns, and individual smoking triggers
  • How you handle stress, and what stress management techniques might work best for you
  • Whether you live or work with other smokers
  • How ready and motivated you are to begin the process of quitting
  • Whether nicotine replacement, pharmacological (drug) or behavioral therapies, or a combination of approaches will be most beneficial for you

Assessment and Support — Quitting Is a “Family Affair”

All of the treatment approaches offered through our smoking cessation program, from motivational counseling and stress management to nicotine replacement and behavioral techniques for resisting the urge to smoke, are also available for your family members who want to quit.

Contact Us

For years, Memorial Sloan-Kettering has been a leader in cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. If you have decided to quit, or are just thinking about it, contact us at 212-610-0507 for an appointment.