20 Million Smokers Resolve to Quit in 2005 ... Again

20 Million Smokers Resolve to Quit in 2005 ... Again

New Research Shows Individualized Web-based Support Program Can Boost Chances of Success by Nearly 30 Percent

PITTSBURGH, Dec. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly half of America's smoking population -- more than 20 million people -- say they want to quit smoking in 2005 ... again, according to a new survey. What's new? This year, smokers trying to quit will be able to take advantage of Committed Quitters(R) (http://www.committedquitters.com/), an individualized Web-based support system that has been clinically proven to increase the chances of smoking cessation success.

For most smokers, 2005 won't be the first year they've tried to quit. The survey of more than 2,000 Americans found that 82 percent of smokers have tried to quit at least once, and one out of five smokers (20 percent) have tried to quit five or more times.

Smokers rate worries about the psychological and behavioral challenges of quitting as high as the physical challenges, like withdrawal symptoms. Nearly equal numbers of smokers worry about fading willpower (72 percent) and finding themselves around people and in places or situations where they'd be tempted to smoke (71 percent), as about cigarette cravings (75 percent) and irritability (73 percent). By providing smokers with individualized tools, tips and information, Committed Quitters (http://www.committedquitters.com/) can help them deal with the psychological and behavioral challenges that may have led them back to smoking in the past, while nicotine replacement therapy like NicoDerm(R) CQ(R) reduces the physical withdrawal symptoms like cigarette cravings.

A recent research study found that smokers using the online Committed Quitters program with NicoDerm(R) CQ(R) increased their chances of success by more than 28 percent compared to smokers trying to quit using the same product and non-individualized support.

"Individualized support is the key, and a tailored Web-based program offers the best of both worlds; it's customized, like individual or group therapy, but instead of reaching a few people, it can reach millions, like a major public smoking cessation campaign," says Dr. Robin J. Mermelstein, clinical psychologist, smoking cessation researcher and director of the Center for Health Behavior Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Mermelstein has studied the efficacy of direct-to-smoker programs that ranged from direct mail to direct telephone support and customized, individually tailored programs, like the new Committed Quitters(R) program.

Committed Quitters features free, easily accessible and highly individualized support. Participants enroll by answering an in-depth online interview that gathers information about their habits, behaviors and motivations for smoking and quitting. The data is then compiled to craft a customized smoking cessation plan, which includes proactive e-mail outreach and newsletters that address each individual's specific needs, while providing support and encouragement that is available 24/7. The support and tips for a life-long smoker can differ greatly from those designed for a younger smoker who has trouble avoiding smoking in social situations.

Better to Have Tried and Failed, Than Not to Have Tried at All

On average, smokers who've tried to quit in the past are almost 50 percent more likely than people who've never tried quitting to worry about willpower; being around people or in situations or in places where they'll be tempted to smoke; and irritability and nervousness.

Experts say that previous attempts at quitting smoking shouldn't discourage smokers from trying again -- in fact, going through the process helps smokers learn more about their smoking behaviors, so they're better prepared to face the challenges of quitting.

"Past attempts to quit should make you more confident about future attempts - not less!" says Dr. Mermelstein. "Each time smokers try to quit, they learn more about the specific, individual challenges they'll face."

For those looking to quit this New Year's, Dr. Mermelstein offers the following tips for getting started:

* Think about the reasons you smoke -- It will give you a clearer path to
quitting. Does smoking relieve stress? Is it a large part of your social
life?

* Get your head in the game -- Dr. Mermelstein recommends that clients get
support products like nicotine replacement therapy and online help
before they quit, so they can read up on materials before they're under
the pressure of quitting. Not only does this help raise consciousness
about the patterns of smoking, it gives them the tools they'll need when
they make the decision to quit for good.

* Check out online support services -- The online Committed Quitters(R)
program provides support and encouragement to help you break your
behavioral and psychological link to cigarettes, and is proven effective
in helping smokers quit.

* Get yourself physically ready -- Start walking, take in more fluids, and
get plenty of rest.

* Put a support system in place -- Fight the urge to keep your plans to
yourself and enlist the help of family and friends. You can also rely on
online support programs like the ones at Committed Quitters, which has
been proven more effective in helping smokers quit.

About Committed Quitters and NicoDerm CQ


Committed Quitters is an individualized Web-based behavioral support program available free to users of NicoDerm(R) CQ(R). Using the NicoDerm CQ patch as directed can double a smoker's chances of quitting cigarettes versus a cold turkey quit attempt, and adding this online support program greatly improves the chances of success. Committed Quitters includes customized materials that provide coping strategies, advice and incentives to stay smoke-free.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter healthcare products companies, ranking second globally in sales of oral care products. Its more than 30 well-known products include such medicine cabinet staples as Abreva(R), Aquafresh(R) toothpastes and toothbrushes, Nicorette(R), NicoDerm(R) CQ(R), Sensodyne(R) and Tums(R).

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare companies. GlaxoSmithKline is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer.


Source: GlaxoSmithKline

CONTACT: Amanda Shaker of CKPR, +1-312-616-2426, ashaker@ckpr.biz, for
NicoDerm CQ; or Malesia Dunn of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare,
+1-412-200-3544, malesia.a.dunn@gsk.com

Web site: http://www.committedquitters.com/


-------
Profile: intent