New Service to Help Smokers Quit Launched; Takes "Scheduled Reduction" to the Web and Mobile Phones

Anouncing the launch of TaperOff.net. TaperOff.net is the first web based service to assist smokers who want to quit gradually using "scheduled reduction".

Research studies have proven that "scheduled reduction" is a highly effective method to quit smoking. "Scheduled reduction" is the process of slowly increasing the time between cigarettes until the smoker has quit completely. TaperOff.net, a new web site and service, manages scheduling cigarettes and notifying the smoker when it is time to smoke each cigarette. Notices are delivered via the web, email, or mobile phone.

The "scheduled reduction" method was confirmed as effective in a 1995 study published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. The study reported that "the highest abstinence rates were found in the two groups that were allowed to smoke at prescheduled times only. For example, in the group that had gradually reduced smoking at prescheduled times, abstinence was 44% -- a remarkably high rate, considering that the nicotine patch was not used."

"Scheduled reduction" is similar to nicotine replacement products like patches and gum with some important differences. Nicotine withdrawal is very gradual compared to nicotine replacement products that may have only two or three steps. Also, "scheduled reduction" reduces the habit of smoking gradually while at the same time reducing the addiction to nicotine. Smoking cigarettes according to a schedule helps to break the association of smoking with specific events of the day - for example smoking right after lunch.

TaperOff.net is easy to use with a step-by-step "wizard" to create the smoker's scheduled reduction plan. Smokers can change their quit date and notification options at any time. Notification messages can be sent to any Short Message Service (SMS) capable mobile phone, in addition to the web and email. Or, a user can print their schedule for the day. And, because the web site does not require any downloads or software installation, the service can be used by smokers who work for companies that don't allow software to be installed.

TaperOff.net is the first service of its kind - a web site to support and manage scheduled reduction. Before TaperOff.net, using scheduled reduction was more inconvenient and logistically difficult.

The site is free to try for 4 days, after that the fee is $25 for up to 90 days of continued access.

According to the developer, James St. Clair, "My goal is to help smokers who want too quit gradually. I see technology as a way to make scheduled reduction a more convenient option."

For more information visit www.taperoff.net.