COMPUTERIZED, TELEPHONE-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION .1. SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM

A computerized, telephone-based, interactive smoking cessation program was offered free to anyone who smoked cigarettes daily. The program was intended to assist a large number of smokers without requiring them to travel, schedule time, or make a public commitment to quit smoking, and without requiring much staff time. Subjects reached the system via a toll-free call from any touch-tone telephone. The system employed a ''talking computer'' that spoke in a natural sounding voice that had been prerecorded on computer disk. Cailers interacted with the computer by pressing touch tone keys. The system automatically composed its messages to fit the needs, expectations, and progress of each individual caller. Participants could call as often as they wished, 24 h a day, for as long as they wished. A total of 571 smokers called the system over the course of a year. More than 82% called at least twice, and over 45% called five or more times. Of all subjects, 35.1% quit smoking while using the program and 14% were abstinent 6 months after their first call. Of those who called five or more times, over 68% quit smoking while using the program and over 22% were abstinent 6 months after their first call. The results suggest that the program could assist many smokers who wish that they did not smoke, are unable to quit smoking without behavioral treatment, but yet do not wish to attend face-to-face programs.