Learn How to Help

If someone you care about uses tobacco and you want to learn practical ways to help, this website's for you.

Breaking free from tobacco dependency is one of the toughest challenges many people will ever face. Become a Helper and learn how to support people in their journey to quitting.

The Helpers website will teach you the skills you need to talk with someone about their tobacco use without being a "nag". After completing the Helpers Training, you will:

  • Be aware of opportunities to talk about tobacco use and have practical ways for starting conversations about quitting tobacco;
  • Understand what motivates someone to consider quitting tobacco and identify their readiness to take action;
  • Help people who have an interest in quitting by offering referrals, information about successful strategies for quitting and self-help resources.

The University of Arizona, College of Medicine issues a Certificate of Training to everyone who successfully completes the Helpers Training.

About Helpers

The Helpers Program is offered by the University of Arizona's College of Medicine, Department of Family & Community Medicine. We offer our thanks to the National Cancer Institute for their support of the research that is the basis for the Helpers Program.

Register to become a Certified Helper

It's easy to create your log-in to the Helpers website. All that's required is a user name and password of your choosing. Your user name will be used to personalize your home page. All information provided is confidential. The Helpers Program is in compliance with procedures established by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine.

People need and deserve help in quitting. You can make a difference in the life and health of someone you care about.

“I believe most tobacco users want to quit. They're afraid to get started, but I believe they want to”
--Ruth M.
“There was this one guy named Gary... and he told me something early on. He said, 'The urge to smoke is going to pass whether you smoke or not.' And that was something I held with me for a long time...”
--Fran W.
“I think we can make a difference in the lives of other people... I think it's not enough to be committed to doing it, it's learning to do it.”
--Herb S.