On Jan. 23, more than $2.7 million worth of therapeutic nicotine, including full-size boxes of NicoDerm CQ®, Nicorette® or Commit ® 2 mg will be given away. The program is being launched in an effort to help the quitters who lapse after starting a New Year’s quit attempt. The give-away, called 1-2-3 Second Chances to Quit for Free, is designed to offer smokers a chance at keeping their New Year’s resolution to quit smoking, and includes a free box of therapeutic nicotine to smokers who complete an individualized quit plan on Way2Quit.com, and pay just $3.60 in shipping and handling costs.

This first of its kind give-away by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (GSKCH) follows a new survey that underscores how difficult it is for smokers to keep their New Year’s resolutions to quit smoking. The survey found that while New Year’s is the most popular time to try quitting (36 percent of annual quit attempts), only 11 percent of New Year’s quitters stay off cigarettes for two months or more, and more than two-thirds (68 percent) resume smoking in less than one week.

“Research shows that previous programs providing free therapeutic nicotine and behavioral support resulted in successful quit attempts. In reality, most smokers would like to quit and by getting them started with free resources and tools, we aim to ensure these smokers have the best chance possible of quitting successfully,” said Bill Slivka, Vice President, Smoking Control, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.

"Over the past ten years, our therapeutic nicotine products have helped more than five million smokers around the world quit, and it is our goal to continue to find new ways to help smokers safely ease their withdrawal from cigarettes and achieve their goal to be cigarette-free.”

All smokers who sign up to for the give-away at Way2Quit.com will create an individualized quit plan through Committed Quitters®, a free individually-tailored behavioral support program clinically proven to increase a smoker’s chances of quitting by up to 30 percent, and can choose from the NicoDerm CQ patch, Nicorette gum or Commit 2 mg lozenge. Research has shown that using therapeutic nicotine can double the chances of quitting successfully over cold turkey.

“Despite the common belief among smokers that willpower is the answer to quitting, willpower alone typically sets up smokers for failure,” said Dr. Vic Strecher, Professor of Health Behavior & Health Education and Director of Cancer Prevention and Control in the University of Michigan’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“The brain of a long-time smoker is biologically re-wired to crave nicotine. Therapeutic nicotine products are designed to wean a smoker from their habit by providing low, gradual doses of nicotine to safely and effectively reduce intense cravings for cigarettes as well as withdrawal symptoms.”

About The Give-Away
GSKCH is offering to help smokers interested in quitting get started on a path to a smoke-free life. The program begins on January 23rd (1-23-07) and is open to all U.S. residents, 18 years of age or older. The offer is on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. Details of the program are available at Way2Quit.com. Not every flavor, size and strength is available.

Web visitors choose either one of three types of therapeutic nicotine products or $37 in coupons which can be redeemed over the course of Nicorette, NicoDerm CQ or Commit therapy. They are required to fill out a short enrollment form and answer questions about their smoking habit through the Committed Quitters program. Each person will receive an individualized support plan and customized tips from experts and will have access to smoking cessation counselors through 1-877-NO-ASHES five days a week.

Way2Quit.com is a new educational Web site that enables smokers to develop an initial quit-smoking plan by completing various assessment tools online. The assessment includes health risks, cravings, smoking triggers, readiness, dependency and more. The site includes helpful tips, quitting resources and virtual coaches, and access to Committed Quitters, a support program designed to provide coping strategies, advice, and incentives to stay smoke-free.

Committed Quitters is a free, tailored Web-based behavioral support program that has been proven to increase a smoker’s chances of quitting. Participants receive a customized smoking cessation plan after completing an online questionnaire that gathers information about their habits, behaviors, and motivations for smoking and quitting. For more information, visit www.Way2Quit.com.

If you know of a group or organization that could benefit from receiving multiple applications for this smoking cessation offer, e-mail betsy@blhconsulting.net with your name, organization, address, quantity and phone number. Requests will be fulfilled and responded to on a first come first serve basis due to limited quantities.