The 'SMS Stop!' Program is an SMS-based Smoking Cessation Intervention Program for soldiers serving in the IDF; the intervention is carried out via text messages, specifically tailored for soldiers serving in the IDF, which are sent to participants' cellphones. The program is conducted as part of a research study accompanying a scientific evaluation. The research participants will benefit from the entire program, and at the same time, will assist the researchers in improving the smoking cessation program by responding to feedback questionnaires.
The responses to the feedback surveys are essential for the research and crucial to the program's future success.
As part of the registration process, each participant chooses his or her own individual smoking cessation date, to be scheduled within two weeks from the date of registration. Subsequently, the participants will receive text messages to their cellphones containing content that encourages them to quit smoking, and which will be synchronized with the specific smoking cessation date selected by each participant.
The text messaging system is dynamic and attends to the personal needs of each participant that may arise throughout the cessation process (desire, falling into old habits, despondency, and other factors) via delivery and receipt of messages.
Who is the target audience of this program?
The program is geared towards soldiers serving in the IDF (compulsory and career service), who smoke on a daily basis and are interested in quitting smoking within the proximate two weeks.
At this stage, the program is not targeted towards pregnant women or civilians.
Click here to register for the SMS-Stop Program for Soldiers
Example of messages that you may receive during the course of the program (in Hebrew):
No discomfort is to be anticipated during participation in the study, with the exception of the time that will be devoted to completing the questionnaires and the possible cost of sending text messages. Participation in this research also has potential benefits in that it improves your chances of quitting smoking. Alongside the program, it is recommended that you use additional cessation tools in order to increase your chances of quitting smoking.How much does it cost to smoke?
The financial costs of smoking are high, and you'd be surprised how much it actually costs. The average cost of cigarettes is estimated at 800 ILS a month, and about 10,000 ILS a year.
The costs of smoking over the course of 50 years can accumulate to nearly 500,000 ILS! Isn't it a waste of money?Do you have any questions? Call and leave us a message and we'll get back to you: Tel. +972-3-571.00.20. Forms
Form for/against smoking For your review, the following are publications regarding the use of cellphones as a smoking cessation tool in England: The Lancet The Cochrane libraryIn addition, the following are several publications regarding this program in Israel: Israel Hayom Doctors Website The "SMS-Stop" Smoking Cessation Intervention Program is implemented in collaboration with the Hebrew University-Hadassah, the ICA, the Ministry of Health and the Israeli Medical Association’s Society for Smoking Prevention and Cessation. Please click here for more information about smoking cessation (in Hebrew).
It is recommended that you contact your family physician for information about smoking cessation workshops and medicinal treatment. Good luck,The SMS-Stop Team