Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116421

Vance Rabius, PhD, MA¹, Joanne Pike, MA LPC¹, Angela Geiger, MBA², Joseph Hunter³, and Alfred McAlister, PhD⁴. (1) National Cancer Information Center, American Cancer Society, 1825-B Kramer Lane, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758, 512-651-4691, vrabius@cancer.org, (2) National Home Office, American Cancer Society, 1599 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, (3) American Cancer Society, National Cancer Information Center, 1825B Kramer Lane, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758, (4) Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas School of Public Health, 7000 Fannin, Suite 2056 K, Houston, TX 77030

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is evaluating the effectiveness of five interactive Internet smoking cessation programs, selected from a competitive review of responses to an RFP: The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health VCC, Oregon Center for Applied Science, ProChange and QuitNet. These research partners agreed to provide study participants access to their smoking cessation programs free of charge. A static page containing PDF files with self-help information was created on the ACS WEB site to serve as a control. Participants were recruited through the ACS WEB site (www.cancer.org). Participation in the study was limited to English-speaking daily smokers residing in the United States, who provided informed consent and completed a baseline survey including demographics and smoking history. During October-January 2004, more than 4000 smokers were randomly assigned to access to one of the six sites. Three-month follow-up interviews will be attempted for all eligible participants, who will have ten days to complete the follow-up online before efforts are made to contact them by telephone. Results to be discussed in this session include follow-up response rates, utilization of Internet services, NRT and other medication use, participation in other services to assist cessation, quit rates and processes of change. Ranges and means for these data will be presented without identification of specific programs.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the learner in this session will be able to discuss the effectiveness of Internet assistance for smoking cessation.

Keywords: Internet, Smoking Cessation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.