"I kind of feel that the problem we have with getting people to quit smoking through these free seminars is the opposite of this. If we can get people to the seminars we can give them the information they need to succeed. The problem is trying to get them to the seminars."

I want to second this. Joel's work inspired me to start presenting live programs in 2001 and since then I've thrown everything at smokers but the kitchen sink. To be blunt, getting a smoker to attend a live program is imagethe greatest challenge I've ever faced. I'm convinced that the only way to get them to attend in substantial numbers is to bribe them, to actually offer them a substantial sum of money or, alternatively, a big pile of free nicotine.

We may think we're skilled at marketing or sales but you have not experienced true challenge until you've attempted to penetrate the amazing wall of denial that each smoker has built around them. And I'm afraid that social controls and each new publicized smoking risk study only makes the wall thicker.

But the most amazing part is that once you get them in the seat that you can watch the jaws of most hang low in awe for two solid hours. When you're done they'll either begin clapping or actually sit there in shock at what they've just seen and heard. They had absolutely no idea what they were up against or the path home and knowledge you share will be strangely comforting.

I've seen Joel write it elsewhere and I've seen it too. I've had smoking family members or smoking friends accompany participants with absolutely no intention of quitting themselves, and I've watched them immediately jump into a quit and do fantastic.

One of the lessons we learned during three years of bimonthly seminars at the College of Charleston is that if you cannot bring students to the lessons, we can take the lessons to students. It's why I created the little eight page handout at www.WhyQuit.com/books . Although I'd much rather spend face to face time with them, for at least some, something is better than nothing.

It's what excites me about seeing almost a half million copies "Never Take Another Puff" being downloaded at WhyQuit annually. I always wonder how many of those copies will get printed, gift wrapped and shared by loving family members. True, many won't get read but many will.

Still just one guiding principle that binds each of us ... no nicotine today, Never Take Another Puff, Dip or Chew!

John (Gold x7)