The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: The objective was to determine the effectiveness of Happy Ending (HE), a smoking cessation intervention which integrates the interactive use of a computer (e-mail and internet) and a cell phone (sms and ivr). HE is a tailored and individualized smoking cessation intervention that is based on self-regulation theory, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and recent insights in smoking cessation and relapse prevention.

Methods: By randomization, 400 eligible subjects were allocated to two groups: one group receiving the Happy Ending intervention (HE group), and the other receiving a self-help booklet from the Norwegian Directorate of Health (booklet group). Both interventions recommend the use of NRT and participants were offered 3 months free supply. However, NRT use was not obligatory and not a pre-requisite for participation. Data were collected by means of emails and web-based questionnaires. Abstinence was defined as totally smoke free (not even a puff) for the last seven days.

Results: All analyses were based on the intention-to-treat principle. At one month post-quit 50% in the HE group were abstinent, as compared to 30% in the booklet group (p<0.001). A vast majority in both groups chose to use NRT (93% in HE group and 87% in booklet group) in combination with the intervention. The proportion of abstinent quitters among NRT users were 51% in the HE group and 29% in the booklet group (p<0.001). One month post-quit, improved adherence to NRT was observed in the HE group. Data on abstinence at 3 and 6 months post-quit will be presented.