There are many internet sites that offer some sort of stop smoking remedy. But do they really work? We need to first differentiate what is available on the web for smoking cessation. First, there are blogs. Some are written by people trying to stop smoking, others by former smokers and then there is mine. Mine is written by a respiratory therapist (me) who tries to give information to the public to help them understand what is involved with smoking and what the science says about smoking cessation.
Second, there are smoking cessation websites that are simply trying to sell smoking cessation aids like nicotine replacement, supposed herbal remedies, etc. I think these have a place, but they usually don't offer viable information that is useful to the one who is trying to become smoke-free. People who frequent these sites are really not getting the information they need to make the right decisions for their situation. However, even a blind squirrel finds a nut, so I'm sure there is a small portion of the population that quits because of these type of sites.
Third, there are social support sites where people can link up with other people trying to stop smoking. Here, they form support groups and encourage one another as they all try to reach for that same goal. These sites can range from being simple forums to affiliate marketing sites for branded products. You have to kind of pick and choose the information off these sites, because some of them are only using the forum to get the visitor and then they try to sell them their "branded" stop smoking aid. Then you have to wonder if the advice you get on the forum is real or someone just trying to sell you something. But it's not too hard to figure out after you've visited a few of them.
Lastly, there are tailored content sites like www.smokefree.gov and www.stopsmokinghelper.org . These sites offer scientifically-based information to empower the smoker to stop smoking. The goal isn't so much to sell the visitor something, as much as it is to set expectations and guide the visitor through the complex process of overcoming nicotine addiction. (Disclosure: I operate stopsmokinghelper.org)
But what does science say about these type of websites? Are they any good at helping people stop smoking? Before we answer that question, I want to point out the cold turkey success rate is anywhere between 3 and 7%. Okay, now let's see what the literature says about websites and smoking cessation.
The Archives of Internal Medicine published a study called "A Randomized Trial of Internet and Telephone Treatment for Smoking Cessation". The researchers wanted to determine the effect of Internet (by itself) and Internet plus telephone treatment for smoking cessation. Their study had 3 components: Basic Internet (BI); Enhanced Internet with tailored content (EI); and EI plus proactive telephone counseling (EI+P). The participant demographics had an average age of 36 years, were 51% female, and 86.5% caucasian. The participants had to smoke at least 5 cigarettes a day to be included.
By 18 months, the 30 day multi-point abstinence rate across all follow-up intervals (3, 6, 12, 18 months) was as follows: the BI group was 3.5%; the EI group was 4.5%; the EI+P groups was 7.7%.
So what does this tell us? Well, it tells us that the first two types of stop smoking internet sites don't really help people that much. It also tells us that tailored content stop smoking sites (and those with social support) are much better, but only when combined with proactive telephone counseling. Something you are sure to read on these type of sites.
Most smokers need some type of accountability, encouragement and guidance. They also need sound information so they can make better decisions about how to progress in their journey to their goal. So use the tailored content sites, like mine, and then find out what will help you stop smoking. That's why it was created in the first place. Also, call 1-800-Quit-Now to find a phone counselor who can give you that proactive support you need.
