Web helps smokers to quit

Using a personalised plan can help smokers to quit

An internet-based computer programme has boosted smokers' chances of kicking the habit, a study has found.

The Committed Quitters programme, which is available on the web, provides a personal plan for people wishing to give up smoking.

A study carried out by the University of Pittsburgh in the US found that people who combined the personal programme and nicotine replacement therapies have a better chance of giving up.

Researchers found that people with the personal plan were a third more likely to be still not smoking after six weeks than those who had not used the programme.

The difference increased after three months, when those who had signed up to personal plans were 56% more likely to be still abstaining.

Personal plan

The Committed Quitters programme draws up a personal plan based on each smoker's history.

It draws on the smoker's experience of giving up and their expected problems in giving up to tailor the plan to the individual.

The plan includes week-by-week tips for continuing to abstain from smoking and personalised health advice.

The study tracked the experiences of more than 3,000 smokers - 90% of whom had tried and failed to give up before.

Dr Saul Shiffman, director of the smoking research group at the University of Pittsburgh, said personalised plans can help people to give up.

These tailored materials make a difference in a person's ability to quit smoking

Dr Saul Shiffman

"These tailored materials make a difference in a person's ability to quit smoking."

Dr Shiffman called for personal plans to be made effective on a large scale.

"Making effective behavioural treatment similarly available on a mass scale is likely to have a significant public health impact," he said.

Clive Bates, director of anti-smoking group ASH, welcomed the study results.

"Everybody develops a personal approach to giving up but we certainly welcome and support the Committed Quitters programme."