Adult smokers sought for free smoking-cessation study

Hutchinson Center researchers recently relaunched a free, online study to help people quit smoking. The study, called WebQuit, is enrolling adult smokers nationwide.

The goal of WebQuit, which began a year ago, is to improve the effectiveness of online smoking-cessation programs. Study director Dr. Jonathan Bricker, a clinical psychologist who specializes in smoking-cessation research, says online smoking-cessation programs are improving, but still have a very long way to go.

“Quit-smoking websites reach millions of adults 24 hours a day. Unfortunately, these websites have low success rates,” said Bricker, of the Public Health Sciences Division. “Our team has revamped our website to improve the experience for people in the study, which will help us find ways to boost the success rates of quit-smoking websites.”

Study participants will learn new tools for dealing more effectively with urges to smoke. They also will receive step-by-step quit guides and create personalized plans for staying smoke-free.

Goal: To create more effective quit programs

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two online smoking-cessation programs. The success rates of participants will then be compared. He is hopeful that the National Cancer Institute-funded study will help adults in their quest to kick the habit.

“Our goal is to try to find what works and what doesn’t, what to include in these programs and how to improve them so they can become more effective,” said Bricker, also a faculty member in the University of Washington’s Department of Psychology.

Enroll by Aug. 31

Study members complete online questionnaires, including one 15-minute follow-up survey. Eligible participants must be at least 18 and not currently participating in other smoking-cessation programs, among other requirements.

To enroll in WebQuit or for more information, visit www.webquit.org.