title: [Determining an appropriate scheme for "Quitline" in Japan].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  "Quitline" is a telephone helpline that advises smokers who are contemplating quitting. Many countries, including East Asian countries, have been conducting nationwide quitline services; however, this has not been conducted in Japan. The aim of this study was to characterize quitline services abroad and review their efficacy in helping smokers quit, in order to determine an appropriate scheme for Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the present condition of quitline in Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, and the United Kingdom, focusing on its modalities. Subsequently, we searched "Medline"and "Cochrane Database of Systematic Review"using free text terms of "hotlines"and "smoking cessation"to review the efficacy of the modalities used by the quitline services. Relevant articles from the reference lists were also identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Asia Pacific countries, various tools were used by the quitline services, including a quit booklet, website, mobile phone service, and e-mail. Some of these countries conducted proactive counseling by a quitline counselor. There have been several meta-analyses and randomized-control trials showing the efficacy of individually tailored materials in quitline services. To introduce an effective quitline service in Japan, it is desirable to provide individually tailored materials. In addition, as Japanese smokers can easily access smoking cessation advice in hospitals, health check-up settings, and pharmacies, quitline services should be connected with this infrastructure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To introduce an effective nationwide quitline service in Japan, it is necessary to provide various individually tailored materials that complement the smoking cessation infrastructure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Sugiyama Jogakuen University.
authors.forename: Chie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.forename: Hideo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D003376:Counseling; D016208:Databases, Factual; D015277:Hotlines; D016540:Smoking Cessation