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Employee Assistance & Counseling Center

Close-up photo of a woman in a yellow shirt snapping a cigarette in halfIf you need extra support when you’re ready to quit smoking, the UAB Employee Assistance & Counseling Center provides a variety of free tobacco cessation services and online resources to help you succeed. 

Tobacco Cessation Support

Tobacco cessation resources and discounted products are available as part of the UAB employee benefits packages, including the EACC's new tobacco cessation support group, Freedom from Smoking. The eight-session program, led by EACC counselors and trained facilitators Jada Baker, LMSW, and Joi Shelton LMFT, invites employees and members of their immediate household to work towards a tobacco-free life. Together, participants will start to understand tobacco use, prepare for quit day, develop effective quitting strategies, manage cravings, build a new self-image and learn how to stay tobacco-free. The 2026 group begins February 10, 2026.

Freedom from Smoking 2026

The 2026 group meets eight times between February 10 and March 24 — seven virtual sessions and one in-person session. Virtual sessions meet every Tuesday between February 10 and March 24, 1 to 2 p.m., via Zoom. The in-person session is Thursday, March 5, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the EACC Office, 2112 11th Ave. South, Suite 330.

Participants must complete the Group Counseling Intake Form on the New Client Intake Forms page. You will receive a confirmation email and Zoom link within three business days of submitting your form. 

Discontinuation of Tobacco Surcharge

Benefit-eligible employees enrolled in a UAB medical plan who attend all eight Freedom from Smoking sessions and receive a certificate of completion are eligible for a Discontinuation of Tobacco Surcharge. Employees can submit certificates in two ways:

  • By fax to 205-975-7402
  • Drop off at the UAB Benefits Office, Admin Building 264, 701 20th St. South

Contact the EACC at uabeacc@uabmc.edu for information on individual tobacco cessation coaching sessions. Tobacco cessation coaching is offered as an additional benefit and does not count towards your annual counseling allowance.

UAB Nonsmoking Policy & FAQs

Visit the UAB Employee Wellness Love Your Lungs webpage for UAB's Tobacco Use Policy for Employees, UAB Tobacco Surcharge FAQs and additional tobacco cessation resources.

Tobacco Cessation Resources

Note: This listing is a collection of some, not all, tobacco cessation resources. UAB neither vets, nor formally endorses, third-party resources listed.

  • Tips to Help You Quit

    NIH Tips to Quit Smoking (PDF)

    This handout gives helpful tips and guidelines to help you stop smoking today including finding ways to relax, lining up support and making a plan. It also includes a Pledge to Live Smoke-Free handout to help solidify your plans.

    American Lung Association: How to Quit Smoking

    This webpage offers advice and tips for smoking cessation including information on talking to your doctor, what to expect and finding resources and support groups to help you through the quitting process.

    Great American Smokeout

    Information from the American Cancer Society on the annual nationwide event to quit smoking, including resources and tools to help you stop smoking today.
  • Information on Smoking

    Harms of Smoking & Benefits of Quitting

    Information from the National Cancer Institute on the impact of smoking on short- and long-term health outcomes and the short- and long-term health benefits of quitting.

    Smokefree.gov

    This webpage, sponsored by the Tobacco Control Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute, provides professional assistance and general information about a wide range of topics related to smoking and quitting information, as well as resources designed specifically for veterans, women, teens, smokers over 60 and Spanish speakers:
  • Mindfulness & Smoking

    Smokefree.gov: Practice Mindfulness

    This Smokefree.gov site provides information on the practice of mindfulness — how it can help you stop smoking, cope with cravings, and reduce depression and anxiety.

    TED Talk: Can Mindfulness Help You Quit Smoking?

    Dr. Judson Brewer, University of Massachusetts Associate Professor and Director of Research at the Center for Mindfulness, talks about utilizing mindfulness as a different approach to quit smoking and shares information on how it works and what to do.

  • Apps to Help You Quit

    QuitGuide

    iPhone | 3.5/5
    Android | 4/5

    QuitGuide helps you stop smoking through tracking smoking triggers, cravings and mood and by helping you articulate your reasons for not smoking and by monitoring progress towards smoke free milestones.

    quitSTART

    iPhone | 4/5
    Android | 3.5/5

    This free app helps you quit through tailored tips, challenges and inspiration. It also includes games to distract you when you are struggling with cravings.

    LIVESTRONG MyQuit Coach

    iPhone | 4.4/5
    Android | Not available

    This free app is physician approved and gives you the option to quit cold turkey or to gradually decrease daily nicotine intake. It also helps you to keep track of the number of cigarettes you are smoking and gives achievement badges as you reach milestones.

    Quit Smoking: Cessation Nation

    iPhone | Not available
    Android | 4.5/5

    Join over 17 million other people in the United States who are trying to quit smoking. This free app helps you manage cravings by playing games or connecting with others when you feel the urge to smoke. You also can win award badges to help mark your progress and to stay motivated.

    Craving to Quit!

    iPhone | 4.4/5
    Android | 4.1/5

    This 21-day smoking cessation program is based on a program developed at Yale University. This mindfulness approach to quitting features video and audio tracks, daily reminders and tools to help you successfully quit smoking. App is free but requires a monthly subscription.

    QuitNow!

    iPhone | 4.6/5
    Android | 4.3/5

    This app allows you to create a profile and connect with others who are trying to quit smoking. It also informs you on how much money you are saving, the time since you last smoked, and the evolution of your health improvements per World Health Organization indicators.

    Kwit

    iPhone | 4.6/5
    Android | 4.1/5

    This app is based around the concept of Gamification, a tool for motivation. Kwit is used for behavior change - helping people stick to their decision to quit smoking. Gamification makes things fun by adding game-elements to the process. Track your smoke-free stats like money saved, cigarettes not smoked, and days of progress. This app uses the power of personal achievements and social media to motivate people as they quit smoking.

    SmokeFree: Quit Smoking Slowly

    iPhone | Not available
    Android | 4.4/5

    Want to stop smoking in a flexible way? Choose from two modes on the app: quit or reduce. From there, you will see images and videos that promote quitting in a way that fits your lifestyle. Keep track of cravings and other stats so you can view your progress each time you open the app.

    Quit Tracker

    iPhone | Not available
    Android | 4.6/5

    The simple yet customizable interface of this app makes it easy to stay motivated as you kick the habit. It not only shows you all the money you are saving, but also the health benefits of quitting. Use the diary feature to keep tabs on how you’re doing. Look at the timeline graphic to see how much your health improves once you stop lighting up.