Quitting Smoking is Contagious

Want to up your chances of quitting smoking? Tackle the challenge with your friends who also want to stop smoking.

New research from Harvard University shows that people tend to quit smoking in packs. Friends and family members exert a huge influence on one another’s health habits. In fact, people who don’t even know each other well who attempt to kick the habit together are more successful than doing it alone.

Part of the pack mentality could also be because smokers are turning into the outcasts. In 1965, 42% of the population smoked, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Now, only about 20% of Americans are smokers.

Do you have a quit-smoking buddy? How do you motivate each other? [Reuters]