A new quit smoking study is now recruiting participants from regional and remote areas of New South Wales, including Lithgow.
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Participants will be offered free support to quit smoking in the form of either video sessions, telephone calls or written materials.
This study is the first of its kind, providing smokers the opportunity to receive real-time video counselling via Skype, FaceTime or Facebook Messenger in their own homes.
According to the Australian Heart Foundation almost a quarter (24.1%) of Lithgow residents are smokers, well above the national rate of 16.1%.
This is compared to lower rates in neighbouring regions such as the Blue Mountains (15.4%), Bathurst (18%) and Orange (18.2%).
The research project is being conducted by the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Population Health and is being led by Dr Flora Tzelepis.
“This study will help us determine if people who smoke are willing to use video-communication, telephone support or written materials during a quit attempt or to help them cut down and move closer to quitting,” Dr Tzelepis said.
The results will help researchers better understand how best to support smokers in regional and remote areas who are considering quitting smoking.
Dr Tzelepis said there are many effective strategies that can help people to quit smoking however they are not often used.
“For instance, attendance at face-to-face smoking cessation services may be particularly difficult for smokers who live in regional and remote areas who may need to travel long distances to access such support,” she said.
Study participants will also be asked to complete a brief online survey about smoking habits initially and then 4-months, 7-months and 13-months later.
The study is open to people who:
- smoke cigarettes or use tobacco every day
- are aged 18 years or older
- have access to a telephone
- have access to a mode of video communication (Skype, FaceTime or other form)
- have access to the internet
- have a current email address
- live in a regional or remote area of New South Wales
Further details about the study can be found in this information sheet.
If you would like to take part in this study, begin by filling in the online screening survey here.