title: An evaluation of the Freedom From Smoking Online cessation program among Wisconsin residents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effectiveness of the American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking Online cessation program in assisting Wisconsin residents to quit smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred fifty-three Wisconsin residents who signed up for the American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking Online cessation program over a 10-month period were solicited for participation. Of these, 80 individuals completed the initial survey (response rate 14.41%). Follow-up surveys were conducted 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after participants completed the program. Fifty-two participants completed the 3-month follow-up, 43 completed the 6-month follow-up, 38 completed the 9-month follow-up, and 36 completed the 12-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initial point prevalence rates or whether participants reported that they had smoked in the previous 24-hour period revealed a quit rate of 55%. Sustained abstinence or whether they reported that they had smoked in the previous 3-month period ranged between 28.8% (3 months after program completion) and 16.3% (1 year after program completion).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quit rates compare favorably to current clinic-based smoking cessation programs. Given the low cost nature of an on-line cessation program and the ability to reach a wide audience, the evaluation undertaken of the American Lung Association's Freedom From Smoking Online cessation program revealed promising results.
authors.affiliation: American Lung Association of Wisconsin, Brookfield 53005-2508, USA. thieleke@lungwisconsin.org
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thieleke
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Kimo Ah
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Yun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009862:Online Systems; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014922:Wisconsin / Q000453:epidemiology