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Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Smoking Without Willpower - Includes Quit Vaping: The best-selling quit smoking method updated for the 21st century
Allen Carr s Easyway is the most successful stop-smoking method of all time. It has helped millions of smokers from all over the world quit instantly, easily, painlessly and permanently. Stop Smoking Now is the new, cutting-edge presentation of the method. Updated and set out in a clear, easy-to-read format, this book makes it simpler than ever before to get free.Allen Carr s Easyway does not rely on willpower as it removes your desire to smoke. It eliminates the fears that keep you hooked and you won t miss cigarettes. It works both for heavy and casual smokers and regardless of how long you ve been smoking. There are no gimmicks or scare tactics, you won t put on weight, and you can even smoke when you read. Allen Carr s books have sold over 15 million copies to date in more than 40 different languages and Stop Smoking Now is the newest presentation of the Easyway message, updated for the 21st century but still centred on the world s most effective stop-smoking programme the tried and tested Easyway method, 'the one that works'. The Allen Carr method has been presented here in a lively, informative and streamlined way. This book brings the original Easyway concept bang up do date, incorporating lessons that have been learned from those who teach in the global network of Allen Carr clinics. No one has more experience of helping smokers quit."
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
71 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Allen Carr
408 books280 followersAllen Carr was a British author and the founder of the global Allen Carr’s Easyway method, renowned for helping millions overcome smoking and other addictions. Born in Putney, London in 1934, Carr began smoking at 18 during National Service and struggled with the habit for over three decades. A qualified accountant, he finally quit in 1983 following a revelatory visit to a hypnotherapist. The experience didn’t directly cause him to quit, but it led to two key insights: that smoking was simply a form of nicotine addiction, and that withdrawal symptoms were minor and psychological in nature. These revelations inspired Carr to develop a revolutionary approach to quitting, one that did not rely on willpower, scare tactics, or substitution therapies.
Carr’s philosophy centered on removing the smoker’s fear of giving up. He argued that smoking merely relieves withdrawal symptoms from the previous cigarette, and that the supposed satisfaction gained is merely a return to the non-smoker’s normal state. Through live seminars, books, and multimedia resources, the Easyway method encourages smokers to continue smoking while they reframe their beliefs, ultimately extinguishing their final cigarette with clarity and confidence.
In 1985, Carr published The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, which became a bestseller and was translated into more than 45 languages. The success of his London clinic led to the establishment of over 100 Easyway centers in 35 countries, offering seminars to treat smoking, alcohol dependency, sugar addiction, and even fear of flying. His method’s credibility was bolstered by independent clinical trials, including studies in Ireland and the UK which found it as effective—if not more so—than standard cessation methods. This led to its adoption by NHS-approved services in England.
A key element of the Easyway clinics is that all facilitators are former addicts who successfully quit using the method themselves. They must complete extensive training and become licensed members of the Association of Allen Carr Therapists International.
Throughout his career, Carr also co-authored a wide range of Easyway books addressing various addictions and behavioral issues, often collaborating with Robin Hayley and John C. Dicey, the current Chairman and Global CEO of Allen Carr’s Easyway. Dicey, whom Carr mentored, continues to lead the organization’s development and public outreach.
Carr died of lung cancer in 2006 at age 72, though he had not smoked for 23 years. He attributed his illness to second-hand smoke exposure during seminars. Before his death, he remained committed to his mission, challenging governmental ties to nicotine replacement industries and advocating for wider access to his method.
Carr’s legacy continues through his clinics, books, and online programs, which have reached over 50 million people worldwide. His message remains consistent: quitting is not a sacrifice—it’s liberation.
Carr’s philosophy centered on removing the smoker’s fear of giving up. He argued that smoking merely relieves withdrawal symptoms from the previous cigarette, and that the supposed satisfaction gained is merely a return to the non-smoker’s normal state. Through live seminars, books, and multimedia resources, the Easyway method encourages smokers to continue smoking while they reframe their beliefs, ultimately extinguishing their final cigarette with clarity and confidence.
In 1985, Carr published The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, which became a bestseller and was translated into more than 45 languages. The success of his London clinic led to the establishment of over 100 Easyway centers in 35 countries, offering seminars to treat smoking, alcohol dependency, sugar addiction, and even fear of flying. His method’s credibility was bolstered by independent clinical trials, including studies in Ireland and the UK which found it as effective—if not more so—than standard cessation methods. This led to its adoption by NHS-approved services in England.
A key element of the Easyway clinics is that all facilitators are former addicts who successfully quit using the method themselves. They must complete extensive training and become licensed members of the Association of Allen Carr Therapists International.
Throughout his career, Carr also co-authored a wide range of Easyway books addressing various addictions and behavioral issues, often collaborating with Robin Hayley and John C. Dicey, the current Chairman and Global CEO of Allen Carr’s Easyway. Dicey, whom Carr mentored, continues to lead the organization’s development and public outreach.
Carr died of lung cancer in 2006 at age 72, though he had not smoked for 23 years. He attributed his illness to second-hand smoke exposure during seminars. Before his death, he remained committed to his mission, challenging governmental ties to nicotine replacement industries and advocating for wider access to his method.
Carr’s legacy continues through his clinics, books, and online programs, which have reached over 50 million people worldwide. His message remains consistent: quitting is not a sacrifice—it’s liberation.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 19, 2012
I actually stopped smoking while reading this. It's been almost 7 years since then.
July 25, 2018
I remembered last night that I had never reviewed this. Normally I wouldn't, you know. But I feel like no one really believes them when I tell them that, after nearly 20 years of smoking a pack or more a day, A BOOK really did help me quit. It didn't brainwash me. It didn't teach me something I didn't already know. It didn't promise a result. It wasn't patronizing or pseudoscience woo or AA-style religion-lite. I truly cannot explain it. I don't want to "sell" it to anyone BUT if you're reading this you probably are looking for an honest, thoughtful review from someone who - like you - considered this their actual last resort that probably wasn't going to work if medication like Chantix, nicotine gum and patches, hypnosis, etc. didn't already work (none of it worked for me either).
Just read it. I didn't even finish it. The damn thing is like a pamphlet and it's inexpensive. Just. Read. It. Literally, it cannot hurt.
Just read it. I didn't even finish it. The damn thing is like a pamphlet and it's inexpensive. Just. Read. It. Literally, it cannot hurt.
May 18, 2014
Good concept, however I think you still have to be REALLY ready to quit. I have read and listened to this book multiple times over the years. While the info made sense and was easy to comprehend, it just didn't work for me. I'm too stubborn.
In the end, the only thing that has worked for me was the electronic cigarette. I started with 26 mg/ml e-liquid. Now, six months later, I am still vaping, but with 0 mg liquid. Allen Carr would not have approved of this method because it did not mean going cold turkey from nicotine. I have really tried everything (patches, gum, lozenges, Nicotrol, Chantix, cold turkey, cutting back, hypnosis, acupuncture, herbal supplements, etc...) before this. For me, the e-cig was the most pleasant, painless way to quit!!
In the end, the only thing that has worked for me was the electronic cigarette. I started with 26 mg/ml e-liquid. Now, six months later, I am still vaping, but with 0 mg liquid. Allen Carr would not have approved of this method because it did not mean going cold turkey from nicotine. I have really tried everything (patches, gum, lozenges, Nicotrol, Chantix, cold turkey, cutting back, hypnosis, acupuncture, herbal supplements, etc...) before this. For me, the e-cig was the most pleasant, painless way to quit!!
May 30, 2013
Well meaning, with some excellent insights on how perspective must change to be successful at quitting. That said, does not fundamentally understand the physiological component of addiction, and includes a ton of poorly constructed arguments based on zero science.
December 29, 2015
Brilliant
U won't be able to put that last cigarette in ya mouth without forcing yourself. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to be free
U won't be able to put that last cigarette in ya mouth without forcing yourself. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to be free
September 22, 2017
I am now a non-smoker, and I feel great about it. Carr's method works.
December 23, 2024
I'm not a smoker, but I heard this book recommended on a podcast a few years ago as "The way to quit anything." and when I found it at the bookstore a few weeks ago it seemed like the perfect time to read it (right before the New Year).
The only two reasons I didn't give it a full 5 stars:
- The argument gets into the minutia of every little reason someone might not want to "quit" a bad habit which is probably necessary BUT some of the logic is circular. The main points about mindset are solid and have completely changed the way I think about my own bad habits (overuse of caffeine, sugar, and scrolling...) but it seems like the book could have either bolstered those "smaller" arguments for quitting with more logic or been shorter, one of the two.
- The book is extremely repetitive. Since I read this over several weeks, that wasn't entirely a bad thing, but the author seems to imagine the reader consuming the book in a day or two, so the repetition makes even less sense to me. I'm glad some of it was there because I needed to see how the mindset shift builds, but I'm not sure the longer chapters really needed to be that involved.
The good stuff:
I've never understood a mindset shift as clearly as I did reading this book. What I learned is that humans often misunderstand the cycles they find themselves in, which is why it's so hard to get out of them. I learned that withdrawal is just the cycle dying and purely temporary. I learned that by indulging in a bad habit to relieve withdrawal symptoms (the first dose of caffeine or nicotine to relieve the withdrawal headache, for instance) is just you choosing to restart the cycle, not end the bad feeling. It will come back unless you let it pass. The only way you can let it pass without torturing yourself is to change your mindset.
The truth is it's a simple concept that you just have to absorb and internalize. I hope to write more about the process of quitting and more about what I learned from the book. So if I do, I'll come back and share a link.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to anyone who wants to quit any bad habit to be honest!
The only two reasons I didn't give it a full 5 stars:
- The argument gets into the minutia of every little reason someone might not want to "quit" a bad habit which is probably necessary BUT some of the logic is circular. The main points about mindset are solid and have completely changed the way I think about my own bad habits (overuse of caffeine, sugar, and scrolling...) but it seems like the book could have either bolstered those "smaller" arguments for quitting with more logic or been shorter, one of the two.
- The book is extremely repetitive. Since I read this over several weeks, that wasn't entirely a bad thing, but the author seems to imagine the reader consuming the book in a day or two, so the repetition makes even less sense to me. I'm glad some of it was there because I needed to see how the mindset shift builds, but I'm not sure the longer chapters really needed to be that involved.
The good stuff:
I've never understood a mindset shift as clearly as I did reading this book. What I learned is that humans often misunderstand the cycles they find themselves in, which is why it's so hard to get out of them. I learned that withdrawal is just the cycle dying and purely temporary. I learned that by indulging in a bad habit to relieve withdrawal symptoms (the first dose of caffeine or nicotine to relieve the withdrawal headache, for instance) is just you choosing to restart the cycle, not end the bad feeling. It will come back unless you let it pass. The only way you can let it pass without torturing yourself is to change your mindset.
The truth is it's a simple concept that you just have to absorb and internalize. I hope to write more about the process of quitting and more about what I learned from the book. So if I do, I'll come back and share a link.
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to anyone who wants to quit any bad habit to be honest!
Read
February 23, 2025Did not finish. Did not stop smoking either…
January 24, 2018
Reading this book has been the biggest help to quit smoking.
April 28, 2018
It worked for me... so... 5 stars!
July 31, 2018
Fantastic. I am now a non smoker!
February 6, 2021
It took me a year to read this book, I attempted to start it 3 times before I finally finished. I quit smoking immediately. I do sometime miss the routine of smoking but that's it. there is no cravings, I honestly cant stand the smell of it anymore and can easily smell it on people. if you want to quit you should definitely read this book!
February 13, 2025
if you want to quit, read this book. I tried to quit multiple times before I read this book. When I finished this book, all my cravings and desire for nicotine vanished. I swear by this book for anyone looking to quit.
July 31, 2018
troche rak, ale już nie moich płucek
August 8, 2019
It just works!
November 28, 2024
Surprisingly this book actually worked!
April 30, 2025
locked in. day 23. it’s all mental baby
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews