Why Should You Chat With an EX Coach if You’re Not Ready to Quit?

EX® Coaches have training and experience to support you throughout your quit journey – even before you're ready to quit. You can be upfront and tell your coach that you're not ready to quit. The coach will support your decision at this stage. They won't pressure you to quit before you’re ready.

Each chat is a chance to make a connection with someone who cares about your thoughts and questions about quitting. Not sure where to start?

Here are five conversation starters:

  • Ask about how the EX Program works.

    You might ask, “What should I do on EX if I’m not ready to quit?”

  • Learn about quit medications.

    If you’re on the fence about using medication, try saying, “I’m not sure how I feel about using medication to quit.”

  • Hear how other people try to quit.

    You could ask, “Have you chatted with other people who weren’t ready to quit yet? What did they do?”

  • Ask how nicotine addiction works.

    Understanding what nicotine does to your brain might change how you feel about quitting. Ask, “Why is it so hard to quit?”

  • You can even say you don’t know what to talk about!

    Your coach can help you come up with a starting point. Try saying, “I don’t know what we should chat about because I don’t feel ready to quit."

Chats with EX Coaches are in real-time, so the length of the chat is up to you. It can be as short as just a few minutes, or it can be a longer conversation.

Our EX Coaches can give you tips and tools to build confidence, create strategies to beat your triggers, and make a personal plan to help you quit. Our coaches are real people with names, families, and a history with tobacco.

To get started now, look for the orange chat window in the bottom right corner of any page. Or, set an appointment to chat with a coach at a time that works for you. You can chat with an EX Coach from your desktop or mobile device.

If your employer or sponsoring organization offers an incentive, you'll need to do all the steps in your EX Plan to earn it. Check your EX Plan to see if you need to chat with a coach.

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Reviewed by Margaret LaPlante, TTS

EX Coach Lead

Updated July 25, 2025

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This program is so helpful. It's helped me stay accountable and confident in my quitting!

-Alyssa, EX Program user