Evaluating two self-help interventions for smokeless tobacco cessation

The need for effective, low-cost self-help treatment methods for smokeless tobacco (ST) addiction becomes more evident as rates of product use and ass ociated morbidities increase. This study evaluated two self-help methods fo r ST cessation. One hundred ninety-eight ST users were randomized into two conditions: half received the LifeSign, a credit card-sized computer design ed for gradual ST cessation, and half received the Enough Snuff self-help m anual and a video. Subjects in both conditions received telephone support f or their quit effort. The study was conducted entirely through phone and ma il, allowing delivery of the intervention to both rural and urban users. Se lf-reported rates of sustained abstinence (no ta bacco use at two months an d six months) were 24.5% for the manual/video condition, and 18.4% for the LifeSign condition. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.