Virtual Community Launched for Pennsylvanian's Determined to Quit Smoking

As the New Year starts, Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health Dr. Calvin B. Johnson launched DeterminedToQuit.com, a comprehensive online community designed to help smokers successfully quit.

"DeterminedToQuit.com is an exciting new support tool to help Pennsylvania's nearly two million smokers who truly are determined to quit their tobacco habit for the last time," said Dr. Johnson. "Success rates double for smokers who have the right support during their quit attempt."

The site features a Quit Companion that allows users to update and monitor their quit attempts and smoking lapses; schedule reminder messages to automatically be delivered to their mobile phones; and invite their family and friends to send messages of encouragement. Several current smokers from throughout Pennsylvania will also post video blogs of their quit attempts.

More than half of all Pennsylvanians who smoke attempted to quit for at least one day in 2007. However, it takes many smokers more than one attempt before they permanently quit.

For more information about quitting tobacco, visit DeterminedToQuit.com or call the Pennsylvania Quit Line toll-free at 1-800-QUIT-NOW to speak to a live quit coach. Information on the Department of Health's other tobacco programs can be found at www.health.state.pa.us or by calling 1-877-PA-HEALTH.