Smoke-free rules you already live with in Chattanooga
Wherever you work in Chattanooga, the rules about where you can light up are mostly set at the state level. Under Tennessee law, cited by the University of Tennessee's Municipal Technical Advisory Service as T.C.A. 39-17-1801 and the sections that follow, smoking is prohibited in most enclosed public places and enclosed places of employment. There are some statutory exceptions, and covered places must post No Smoking signs at every entrance. If you have ever wondered why the break-room door or the restaurant entrance carries that sign, that is the reason.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga goes further on its own grounds. Its Smoke-Free Campus Policy took effect on January 1, 2019, and covers all land, buildings and grounds the university controls, including private cars parked or driven on campus. The policy counts electronic cigarettes as smoking, so vaping is covered along with cigarettes, cigars and pipes. Students, staff and visitors to the campus run into that rule daily.
For many people, those rules are part of what prompts a decision. Stepping off campus or out to the parking lot for every cigarette gets old, and so does planning a workday around where you are allowed to vape.
What kinds of providers you'll find listed
The Chattanooga listings in this directory fall into a few groups. Some are coaches who meet one-on-one, in person or by video, and work on routines, triggers and planning. Some are consulting hypnotists who offer sessions focused on stopping smoking or vaping. Others run group programs that meet on a set schedule over several weeks.
Each format suits different people. Some prefer a private conversation. Others like a room full of people working on the same thing. A few providers mix formats, starting with a one-on-one meeting and moving to check-ins by phone or video later. If you've tried to stop before, it's worth telling a provider what you tried and what got in the way, so they can explain how their approach differs. Think about what has kept you going in other parts of your life, such as accountability, structure or privacy, and use that as a guide.
Questions to ask before you book
Every provider describes their approach differently, and it's fine to call several before choosing. Useful questions include:
- How many sessions do you usually plan, and how long is each one?
- Do you meet in person in Chattanooga, by video, or both?
- Do you work with people who vape as well as people who smoke cigarettes?
- What happens between sessions? Is there any follow-up by phone or message?
- What is the total cost, and what is your cancellation policy?
Be cautious with anyone who promises a sure thing or an overnight change. No honest provider can make that promise. A clear description of the process and the time involved is more useful than a bold claim.
Working with your health care team
The providers in this directory are not health care providers, and listings don't cover anything a doctor or pharmacist offers. If you have health conditions, take daily medicine, or are pregnant, talk with your own doctor or pharmacist about stopping smoking or vaping and about any products you're considering. They can tell you how a plan fits with the rest of your care.
Fitting a program into a Chattanooga schedule
Plan around your real week. If you commute in from Hixson, East Ridge or across the state line in north Georgia, an evening group downtown may be harder to reach than it looks on a map. Ask providers where sessions happen and whether they offer early-morning, lunch-hour or weekend times. Video sessions can fill the gaps when traffic or weather gets in the way.
If you're a UTC student or employee, check whether the university lists campus support resources; the policy page cited below is a good starting point for that search. Your employer's benefits office may also have information on programs available to staff.
About the directory
Stop Smoking Pros lists independent coaches, consulting hypnotists and group programs serving the Chattanooga area. We don't run sessions or programs ourselves, and we don't check anyone's credentials. Use the listings to find a few providers, ask the questions above, and choose the one whose approach makes the most sense to you.