The roots of Nicotine Anonymous first took hold in the Southern
California living room of one of the cofounders, Rodger F. in
February of 1982. The group consisted mostly of Alcoholics
Anonymous members who realized their need to focus on their nicotine
addiction and to stop smoking. Since anything but alcohol is an
outside issue for Alcoholics Anonymous, a separate group was
necessary.
With permission from Alcoholics Anonymous, the founding members of
our fellowship adapted the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.
Although there is common ground in the use of the 12 Steps and 12
Traditions, these fellowships are not affiliated. Alcoholics
Anonymous also gave us permission to adapt their preamble. Our
Preamble became the following: Nicotine Anonymous is a fellowship
of men and women helping each other to live our lives free of
nicotine. We share our experience, strength, and hope with each
other so that we may be free from this powerful addiction. The only
requirement for membership is the desire to stop using nicotine.
There are no dues or fees for Nicotine Anonymous membership; we are
self supporting through our own contributions. Nicotine Anonymous is
not allied with any sect, denomination, political entity,
organization or institution, does not engage in any controversy,
neither endorses nor opposes any cause. Our primary purpose is to
offer support to those who are trying to gain freedom from nicotine.
Maurice, a member, authored an article for Readers Digest in May of
1985. Thousands of letters poured in from people wanting to know
more about this new 12 Step fellowship known then as "Smokers
Anonymous." Within a year there were a hundred meetings
identified.
In May of 1988, the fellowship's first World Services Conference was
held in San Francisco. Thanks to a well-documented chain of events
the fellowship was renamed Nicotine Anonymous in Phoenix, Arizona at
the 1990 World Services Conference. As with most organizations, it
becomes typical to use an abbreviated name. For our common welfare
and unity a vote at the 2000 World Services Conference in
Scottsdale, Arizona decided that "NicA" would be the one
abbreviation the fellowship would use.
We hold an annual conference in the spring and all members are
invited to attend. Each year the conference is held in various parts
of the United States, depending on members who volunteer to host the
event. The conference serves to strengthen us in our path to
freedom from nicotine and as an official meeting to address
fellowship business.
As of 2005, Nicotine Anonymous World Services serves a worldwide
fellowship with over 500 meetings. These face-to-face meetings have
been supplemented by both online and telephone meetings. There is a
well-managed web site and literature fulfillment service available
to the membership. The elected all-volunteer board consists of nine
members and meets four times per year. There are also numerous
coordinators who volunteer to provide specific services that help
World Services fulfill our fellowship's primary purpose- "to offer
support to those who are trying to gain freedom from nicotine."
The rest of the story can be read in our literature. Please feel
free to learn more about us to see if you want what we have. A warm
welcome awaits you!
This is an approved version of our beginnings
