ASSESSING A SMOKING CESSATION INTERVENTION INVOLVING GROUPS, INCENTIVES, AND SELF-HELP MANUALS

A media-based worksite smoking cessation program was evaluated. Partic ipants in each worksite received a television program and one of three conditions: 1) self-help manuals alone, 2) self-help manuals and ince ntives, or 3) maintenance manuals, incentives, support groups, and cog nitive behavioral strategies for quitting smoking. During the 6 months following the initial media and group meeting intervention phase, 14 booster meetings were held for participants who had received support g roups. The quit-rate among participants who received manuals, incentiv es, and groups was significantly higher than the quit rate among parti cipants who received the manuals and incentives, or just the manuals. The results indicate that the combination of cognitive behavioral tech niques and social support may represent an effective worksite smoking cessation intervention. The significant effect of the group condition 12 months following initial quit efforts is particularly promising.