If ever you give a smoking cessation workshop/seminar in the NewYork area I have two people to bring-they will not have to be tricked. My best friend and her hubby. She has spent loads of time w/me through my quit and after 6 months has just taken the step to get Zyban.
She and I have tried to stop smoking before , hypnosis,gum you name it we tried it.I have not been too influential but I also refuse to preach I know from experience it is not effective.I make comments,share knowledge and at least twice a month mention how I wish she would join me.She was w/me thru my 4 yr quit that ended w/a single puff-I bummed a cigarette from her.I had hung on to that quit by a thread but it was not an educated quit just something I did automatically after a significant event-as the memory faded so did my resolve.
I have sent her this site but I don't have sufficient computer skills to constantly bombard her w/readings from the library ,that was done to me by Chet Kast and it peaked my interest.
For my friends I think attending a seminar would help-I know they would go -hope you plan on having one here. My particular nighborhood still seems to have loads of smokers not such a common site in the rest of the City.
One of your statements-smoking in lieu of human contact --really hit home.The fact that I don't cut conversations or visits short to flee outside for a cigarette is for me one of the best benefits of not smoking. I couldn't focus on anything but getting away to have my cigarette now It's like a gift I can engage w/others and not have to focus interest on my getaway to have a smoke.