How to Protect Yourself: Smoking Cures

How to Protect Yourself: Smoking Cures

For those smokers with the admirable goal of quitting, there are all too many con artists out there who will take advantage of those who wish there was an easy solution to this addiction.

Avoid programs that seem too good to be true.

Some programs offer hypnosis with the guarantee that you'll quit smoking without gaining weight. The advertised success rates are invariably higher than actual success, and in fact can only produce testimonials such as “Every time I went I quit!” Be careful of overstated guarantees and success rates.

Another program offered a “stop smoking patch” which implied that it was just like nicotine patches. The patch actually turned out to be a stick-on label to put on your wrist to remind you not to smoke. It had no medicinal value at all and was merely a behavior modification tool or technique, misrepresented as a more powerful cure.

Pills and similar programs also are ineffective but such scams play on the smoker’s desire for a quick cure. Any product promising a “miracle cure,” which is “fast” or leaves “no cravings” for smoking, is obviously too good to be true.

Seek help from trusted sources.

Floridians seeking help with their smoking addiction or wishing to quit smoking can call the Florida Quitline, a program provided by Tobacco Free Florida. Call the toll-free Florida Quitline at 1-877-U-CAN-NOW (1-877-822-6669) to speak with a trained and certified Quit Coach who will help you assess your addiction and help you create a personalized quit plan. Learn more about the Florida Quitline at www.TobaccoFreeFlorida.com. Additionally, many personal physicians can help construct a plan to help you quit smoking. Call your physician’s office to determine if they offer such a service.

File a complaint.

If you suspect you are the victim of a smoking cure or program, file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by calling 1-866-9-NO-SCAM or online at www.MyFloridaLegal.com.

You may also file a complaint with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which acts as the State's consumer complaint clearinghouse, at www.floridaconsumerhelp.com.