2. Moderated Online Social Networking for smokers: Content of first posts from 2,562 smokers 1 Trevor van Mierlo, BA; 2 3 Peter Selby MBBS, CCFP; 2 3 John Cunningham Ph.D.; 1 Danielle Parent, BScN 4 September, 2008 1 V-CC Systems Inc. 2 Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) 3 University of Toronto

4. StopSmokingCenter.net (SSC) Beta

5. SSC Support Group

9. Posters vs. non-Posters Statistically significant but not clinically significant Country 69.3% 73.5% USA 12.6% 12.3% Canada 7.3% 6.2% UK 10.8% 8.0% Other 64.6% 70.1% % Female 38.7 40.4 Mean Age Non-Posters or “lurkers” (84.7%) n = 14,202 Posters (15.3%) n = 2,562 n =16,764

10. Smoking characteristics 19.5 21.6 Years Smoked 20.4 22.2 Cigs per day 36% (5.5) 67% (5.8) Completed Fagerstrom: (mean score) Non-Posters or “lurkers” (84.7%) n = 14,202 Posters (15.3%) n = 2,562

14. What are their reasons for posting? 6.8% Sharing a tip or strategy about quitting: 0.2% Told to quit by healthcare professional 16.1% Question or comment about withdrawal symptoms: 17.6% Responding to another quitter’s questions or comments about cravings or triggers: 4.5% Question or comment about NRT or other quit aid: 6.2% Quitter has had a slip or relapsed: 13.6% Discussing their need to quit for their health or the health of others: 15.3% Question or comment about cravings or triggers: 28% Quitter who is struggling and is seeking support or advice:

15. Who replies? Responders tend to be from those who have quit more than a month ago, but less than a year. *2.6% (n = 68) of posts did not get a response 35.0% quit less than one year ago: 23.7% quit within the last month: 58.7% Total: 15.6% (n = 399) Health Educator: 81.8% (n = 2,095) Member:

19. Cunningham, J. A., van Mierlo, T., & Fournier, R. (2008). An online support group for problem drinkers: AlcoholHelpCenter.net. Patient Education and Counseling, 70(2), 193-198. In press: Methodological issues in the evaluation of internet-based interventions for problem drinking

20. Thank You