An evaluation of the Freedom From Smoking Online cessation program among Wisconsin residents.
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.
Thieleke
Jessica
J
American Lung Association of Wisconsin, Brookfield 53005-2508, USA. thieleke@lungwisconsin.org
McMahon
Janet
J
Meyer
Gary
G
Yun
Kimo Ah
KA
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