June 22, 2011 - The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is launching a new online study called “WebQuit” to help people quit smoking. Participation is free to adult smokers nationwide who meet the eligibility requirements. The goal of “WebQuit” is to enhance the effectiveness of online smoking cessation programs, which according to the study director and clinical psychologist Dr. Jonathan Bricker, are improving but have a long way to go. Bricker stated, “I think web based interventions are the wave of the future, not only because they are generally cheaper than personal therapy but because as a culture we are becoming more reliant on the convenient do-it-yourself options we find online.” Study participants will not be paid, but they will receive interactive tools for dealing more effectively with urges to smoke, including step-by-step guides, personalized plans, and electronic links for reaching one-on-one expert help. Participants will randomly be assigned to one of two online smoking cessation programs, and the success rates of the participants will be compared. To enroll in the “WebQuit” study, please visit www.webquit.com.

For more information, please visit http://www.newswise.com/articles/want-to-quit-smoking-study-seeks-adult-smokers-nationwide-for-a-free-online-smoking-cessation-study