Take a deep breath Chicago, can you smell that smoke-free air? If you’ve been out at the bars or paid any attention to the news, then you’re probably aware that the State of Illinois has gone smoke-free. While the sight of smokers shivering outside of bars does pull at my heartstrings a bit, the new laws make it a bit easier for me to stay an ex-smoker. Last April, I joined Howard Brown’s “Put It Out,” a smoking cessation group that helps Queer smokers finally kick that habit. Obviously, it worked for me. So if you’re standing outside your favorite bar and wondering if it’s time to quit, now might be the perfect time.

Howard Brown’s new “Bitch to Quit” schedule is up and running and they’re looking for smokers ready to take the plunge. “Bitch to Quit” was the name of the former female only smoking cessation group, but has been combined with “Put It Out” under that name. It’s a mixed gender group that gives smokers an amazing amount of resources so that they are armed and ready to quit. If there is any group that needs to quit smoking, it’s us! The statistics regarding smoking and the GLBT community are alarming. GLB men are 50% more likely to smoke than the general population and LBT women are 200% more likely. Scary stuff isn’t it?

So do yourself a favor and try to quit, especially now that you have another resource. More information, including a schedule of groups for the year and contact information for the program’s coordinator, Kristin Torres, can be found by visiting Howard Brown’s website. The website also provides good information for those looking for quitting resources in other areas.

-Teddy