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Useful Sites
Circle of Friends
About this site: Circle of Friends is a site whose goal is to encourage women smokers to reach out to their friends and family to help them quit -- and vice-versa. Created by the American Legacy Foundation, it offers tips on quitting tailored especially for women. (http://www.join-the-circle.org)  Pluses: Smokers are reassured that most people don't succeed in quitting on either the first or second attempt, and are encouraged to try again with the support of the site's resources and their friends.  Minuses: Some key parts of the site are under construction and unavailable.  Best feature: The site links to QuitNet, an excellent resource for anyone wanting to kick their addiction to tobacco. |
QuitNet
About this site: This colorful site with its engaging graphics is a comprehensive resource and support center for smokers wanting to quit. Message boards, chats, and interactive tools are available to registered users. You can click on the "quick tour" to get an overview of the site's features. (http://www.quitnet.com) Pluses: The site feels friendly and welcoming, and although the corporation behind QuitNet produces smoking cessation programs, there's no sales pitch on the site. Minuses: Some pages are slow to load. Best feature: Message boards give smokers a chance to hear from others who are trying to quit. |
American Lung Association -- Tobacco
About this site: As the oldest voluntary health organization in the country, the American Lung Association has long been an advocate of tobacco control. Whether you want to find out how many lives are lost to smoking-related illnesses each year, or how much smoking costs the US in decreased productivity each year, this is the site for smoking facts and figures. You can also get the extra nudge you need to quit for good. (http://www.lungusa.org/tobacco/) Pluses: Smoking information and fact sheets are organized into categories, including women, teens, and other targeted populations. Minuses: There's hardly any information on nicotine replacement therapies. Best feature: The popular quitting program "Freedom From Smoking" is available online after users take a moment to register for this free service. |
QuitTobacco.org
About this site: If you're a smoker who's ready to quit, a smoker on the fence about quitting, or the friend or family member of a would-be quitter, you'll find plenty of helpful information on this site. Developed by Group Health Cooperative, a Seattle-based HMO, the site includes a bulletin board where users can exchange support and information or ask questions. (http://www.quittobacco.org/ Pluses: Much of the information on the site comes from the HMO's paid quit-smoking program, Free and Clear, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes as a model for successful smoking cessation programs. Minuses: The section on nicotine replacement products and supplemental medications is weighted towards one particular product (Zyban) that is part of the HMO's paid quit-smoking program. Best feature: A calculator helps smokers figure out how much they will spend on cigarettes in a month, in a year, and in ten years |
Center for Disease Control -- Tobacco Information and Prevention Source (TIPS)
About this site: This site has a lot of interesting information you might not find on other smoking sites, but isn't the place to find a warm, supportive atmosphere to help you quit. What you will find are copies of the Surgeon General's reports, some scary statistics on smoking, and a wealth of free brochures and information you can send for. It's a great site for schools or organizations looking for information to use in their own smoking cessation programs. (http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/how2quit.htm) Pluses: Links to the latest research and journal articles along with a searchable database of articles. Minuses: The bare-bones site design makes browsing a little tedious. Best feature: Special section of celebrity anti-smoking ads and free posters, including an interview with the popular group Boyz II Men. |
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
About this site: The nonprofit Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids works at the local, state, and federal level to reduce tobacco use among youths and adults. Rich with graphics, facts, and articles on anti-smoking campaigns, this site combines information for parents and teachers with resources especially for kids. http://tobaccofreekids.org/ Pluses: One section features an advertisement gallery with tobacco ads that have appeared in magazines over the decades. Minuses: Some pages have a dark background and glowing type -- hard to read and hard on the eyes. Best feature: A special section allows kids to submit their own drawings of smokers. |
American Legacy Foundation
About this site: The American Legacy Foundation is an independent anti-tobacco foundation that was established after the 1998 tobacco settlement. The group's many initiatives aim to reduce tobacco use among young people, decrease exposure to secondhand smoke, and increase successful quit rates. The site is a great resource for learning about current research, finding a speaker for your event, or exploring ways you can become involved. (http://www.americanlegacy.org/) Pluses: Choose a speaker for your anti-tobacco event from a panel of fifteen well-trained orators located all around the country. Minuses: The site could be a little more personal. Best feature: For those who want to become active in tobacco-control issues, there are links to organizations where you can volunteer. |
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