Kick ash with a cell phone

Anytime you want a Marlboro, reach for your Motorola instead.  Researchers at the U of Auckland in New Zealand compared how well two groups of smokers were doing in their attempts to quit.

They discovered that those who received daily text messages containing tips on beating cravings plus motivational words from other quitters were twice as likely to kick ash as the people who went text-less.  What’s more, rates of quitting for the cell-supported group remained high after 6 months.

“People tend to carry their phones with them at all times, so it’s a readily accessible means of providing cessation assistance,” says study author Robyn Whittaker, M.D.  “It’s also relatively anonymous and confidential.

Make it work for you:  When you’re finally ready to stub your cigs, set a quit date and then go to www.backpackit.com, where you can write text messages to yourself and have them sent on present days and times.

(Note:  Since we found backpackit.com, they started charging for their service.  As of 2010 there are several trial programs looking for additional participants.  While we can’t validate they will be open when you are looking, do an online search for “smoking cessation via text messaging.)

Or, to prevent you from predicting every missive, you can use random delivery options, such as “later today” and “tomorrow morning.”  Either way, include words of encouragement and reminders about why you’re quitting (such as a later exit from Earth).

Next go to your phone’s message options and create a group list of your closest friends and family.  Send a text message to all of them, asking that they shoot you encouragement on your quitting day and the days that follow.  Save the messages you like and pull one up every time a craving strikes.

Any time you want a Marlboro, reach for your Motorola instead. Researchers at the University of Auckland, in New Zealand, compared how well two groups of smokers were doing in their attempts to quit. They discovered that those who received daily text messages containing tips on beating cravings plus motivational words from other quitters were twice as likely to kick ash as the people who went textless.

What’s more, rates of quitting for the cell-supported group remained high after 6 months. “People tend to carry their phones with them at all times, so it’s a readily accessible means of providing cessation assistance,” says study author Robyn Whittaker, M.D. “It’s also relatively anonymous and confidential.”

Make it work for you:
When you’re finally ready to stub your cigs, set a quit date and then go to www.backpackit.com , where you can write text messages to yourself and have them sent on preset days and times.

Or, to prevent you from predicting every missive, you can use random delivery options, such as “later today” and “tomorrow morning.”

Either way, include words of encouragement and reminders about why you’re quitting (such as a later exit from Earth).

Next, go to your phone’s message options and create a group list of your closest friends and family. Send a text message to all of them, asking that they shoot you encouragement on your quitting day and the days that follow. Save the messages you like and pull one up every time a craving strikes.

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