Barack Obama was recently asked why he had not yet completely fulfilled his commitment to quit smoking. Within America, cigarettes are responsible for one in five deaths and smoking-related healthcare costs are tens of billions of dollars. The insinuation is that the president should set a healthy example by being smoke-free.

Although Obama has apparently tried nicotine gum as an aide to quitting smoking, I highly doubt that he has tried clinical hypnosis. Unfortunately, the misconceptions and stigma associated with hypnosis relegate it to an often overlooked treatment option.

As a psychologist, I do understand that clinical hypnosis is actually considered one of the most effective ways to quit smoking. Despite this fact, I could find no government websites that offer free self-hypnosis audio downloads for smoking cessation. Consider the fact that if there was an inexpensive medication that was well-tolerated and potentially curative for a widespread and serious medical condition, pandemonium would ensue, if it were not enthusiastically endorsed and freely made available.

Until similar official endorsement for clinical hypnosis occurs, I encourage smokers to visit private websites, like http://www.QuitForFree.com, that offer free hypnosis for smoking cessation instant audio downloads, discount coupons for other quit smoking aides like nicotine gum and nicotine patch, and free e-book access to best-selling quit smoking publications.

Although a combined approach between clinical hypnosis and other quit smoking aides is generally recommended, many people fair very well by relying solely upon the benefits of hypnosis for quitting smoking. Post-hypnotic suggestion affords a powerful, effective way to be smoke-free.