Do I need to use my real name in a quit smoking Facebook group?

Not really. You can create an account with a nickname or your first name only. Private groups (most of them are) only show your activity to validated members.

How long should I stay in a group?

At least 3 to 6 months — the critical relapse phase. Many ex-smokers then stay on as mentors for newcomers. It is a virtuous cycle.

Do AA-style groups exist for smoking ("Smokers Anonymous")?

Yes, Nicotine Anonymous, inspired by the 12-step model. Present in the UK and online. If the 12-step model works for you for other addictions, it can be a good add-on.

Stoptober — can I take part in June?

The official campaign runs in October, but the personal quit plan, app and groups are accessible all year. Many smokers sign up off-season and use last year's resources.

If I slip, do I have to leave the group out of shame?

Absolutely not. The most useful groups value slips as stages — not failures. Staying after a slip helps you bounce back faster and stronger. And it helps others see that it is part of the journey.

Quit smoking support groups: face-to-face and online peer support, how to pick yours

Cochrane confirms: a support group doubles your chances of quitting vs going alone. Tour of forums, in-person groups and Stoptober in the UK.

June 30, 2026 Aria

The scientific basis on quitting smoking was reviewed on a voluntary basis by Pr. Bertrand Dautzenberg , a tobacco specialist, in order to rule out gross, potentially dangerous errors. It reflects positions commonly shared by health professionals and health agencies, without always corresponding exactly to his thinking or his practice. He is not the author of this text; he has only carried out a vigilance review of it.

Quitting smoking is hard. Doing it alone in your corner is even harder. Support groups — online or in real life — really change the game. Cochrane confirms it: they double the chances of success compared with quitting without any help. Here is a tour of what is out there in English, with the strengths and weaknesses of each format.

Why it works

x 2 chances of quitting in a group programme vs no support. And it holds at 6 months and beyond — not just a short motivational spike.

Cochrane Review, Stead and Lancaster, 2017 updates

Stoptober — the national campaign

Launched by Public Health England (now OHID) in 2012, Stoptober runs every October. It is the UK template that other countries (notably France's Mois Sans Tabac) have adopted. A collective challenge: do not smoke for 28 days.

Facebook support groups

The largest English-speaking ones bring together tens of thousands of members. Private, with moderation, often run by ex-smokers or trained peer supporters.

In-person groups

Less common than online, but precious for some profiles.

Comparison table

Format	Availability	Anonymity	Human bond	Cost
Stoptober	24/7 + events	Yes (after sign-up)	Moderate	Free
Facebook groups	24/7	Depends on profile	High	Free
NHS group sessions	Set hours	Moderate	Very high	Free
Workplace programme	Variable	Moderate	High	Free
Nicotine Anonymous	Set hours + online	Total (first names)	High	Free

And what about support from a loved one?

How to pick

Have you already tried alone and failed? → Head to Stoptober or an active Facebook group.
Multiple addictions or wider distress? → Try Nicotine Anonymous or your local NHS service for broader pathways.
Live rurally or short on time? → Online groups 24/7.
Feeling socially isolated? → Look for an in-person group via your NHS local Stop Smoking Service.
Want the winning combo? → Stop smoking adviser + online group + Aria for daily follow-through.

In United Kingdom

Your questions

Do I need to use my real name in a quit smoking Facebook group?

Not really. You can create an account with a nickname or your first name only. Private groups (most of them are) only show your activity to validated members.
How long should I stay in a group?

At least 3 to 6 months — the critical relapse phase. Many ex-smokers then stay on as mentors for newcomers. It is a virtuous cycle.
Do AA-style groups exist for smoking ("Smokers Anonymous")?

Yes, Nicotine Anonymous, inspired by the 12-step model. Present in the UK and online. If the 12-step model works for you for other addictions, it can be a good add-on.
Stoptober — can I take part in June?

The official campaign runs in October, but the personal quit plan, app and groups are accessible all year. Many smokers sign up off-season and use last year's resources.
If I slip, do I have to leave the group out of shame?

Absolutely not. The most useful groups value slips as stages — not failures. Staying after a slip helps you bounce back faster and stronger. And it helps others see that it is part of the journey.

sources

Stead LF, Carroll AJ, Lancaster T, Group behaviour therapy programmes for smoking cessation, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017.
Faseru B et al., Enhancing partner support to improve smoking cessation, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018.
OHID / Public Health England, Stoptober — evaluation and impact reports.
NHS Better Health, Quit smoking — community and group support.
Nicotine Anonymous, public meeting directories.