Thursday, April 19, 2012

NCI Launches Smoking Cessation Phone Programs For Teens

"NCI Launches Smoking Cessation Phone Programs for Teens:  Because a cellphone is likely one thing a teenage smoker will pick up more often than a cigarette, the National Cancer Institute's Smokefree Teen program offers Smokefree TXT, a free mobile tool to help teens stop smoking.  "With 75 percent of youths between the ages of 12 and 17 owning a cellphone, there is immense potential for mobile technologies to affect health awareness and behavior change among teens," said Erik Augustson, Ph.D., a behavior scientist in the NCI's Tobacco Control Research Branch.  Smokefree TXT is a free mobile service designed for young adults that provides round-the-clock encouragement, advice and tips to help teens stop smoking for good.  Teens can text the word QUIT to IQUIT (47848) from their mobile phones, answer a few questions and start receiving messages.  Signups can also be initiated online at "www.teen.smokefree.gov/smokefreeTXT.aspx", where participants can click on the button to answer a few questions and then start receiving texts."   (Excerpt from the ADA New March 19, 2012 Edition Page 14)

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