Allen Carr's in-person group seminar and smoking cessation

• is a pharmacotherapy-free approach to quit smoking that is delivered through seminars, online courses, or in the form of a book
• a session lasting between 4.5 and 6 hours with elements of cognitive behavioural therapy and a brief relaxation exercise (1)
  • is based on the idea that smoking is an addiction to the feeling of relief that cigarettes provide, rather than to the nicotine itself (2)
    • according to this approach, by understanding and reframing the psychological dependence on smoking, individuals can overcome their addiction and quit smoking without experiencing withdrawal symptoms or weight gain
• participants are encouraged to carry on smoking as normal until they attend the session and to smoke as normal during scheduled smoking breaks (around every 45 to 60 minutes) until a final ritual cigarette at the end
  • seminars are usually delivered to small groups of people, often around 20 participants or fewer
  • interactive nature of these sessions fosters exploration of smoking habits, the questioning of beliefs, and insights into psychological motivations
• after the session, regular texts remind participants that they can contact the provider if they have further questions
  • the price includes up to 2 shorter (around 3.5 hours) follow-up sessions if wanted (1)

Reference:

1. NICE (February 2025). Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence.
2. Possenti I, Scala M, Lugo A, Clancy L, Keogan S, Gallus S. The effectiveness of Allen Carr's method for smoking cessation: A systematic review. Tob Prev Cessat. 2023 Sep 29;9:29.