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About N-O-T
Not On Tobacco (N-O-T) is the American Lung Association’s (ALA's) voluntary program for teens who want to quit smoking. It is the most researched, most widely used and most successful such program in the United States.
To develop this state-of-the art program, the ALA partnered with researchers at the West Virginia Prevention Research Center at West Virginia University. The program is research-based, effective, easy to use, and well received by teens. Since 1999, more than 150,000 teens in 48 states have participated in the N-O-T program.
Major Characteristics of N-O-T
- Allows teens to volunteer to participate: no coercion.
- Includes group activities, discussions, journaling, and role-playing.
- Has separate activities for boys and girls.
- Uses a total-health approach: offers advice on healthy behaviors, stress management, and life skills.
- Consists of 10 sessions and can be used in schools or community settings.
- Is based on more than 10 years of research and evaluation.
- Is proven effective: has a 21% quit rate, higher than any other similar program.
N-O-T helps teens understand why they smoke and helps them develop the skills, confidence, and support they need to quit. Teens learn the skills they need to tackle tough problems such as nicotine withdrawal, cravings to smoke, and peer pressure to continue smoking.
N-O-T also deals with other issues that are important to teens, such as how to control weight after quitting, how to manage stress in healthy ways, and how to communicate effectively. N O T has different tips for boys and for girls because research shows that boys and girls have different reasons for smoking and need different strategies for quitting.
The 10 sessions of the N-O-T program
Session 1: All About N-O-T
Session 2: Getting Pumped Up
Session 3: Me Without My Smokes
Session 4: Mind and Body (Before)
Session 5: The Big Day
Session 6: Staying Quit
Session 7: Mind and Body (After)
Session 8: Working It Out With Friends and Family
Session 9: Tuning In/Tuning Out
Session 10: Committed and Connected
