Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) recently launched
iQuit - a free Internet-based smoking treatment study for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender (LGBT) smokers (http://iquit.medschool.ucsf.edu).
This study comes on the heels of research showing high rates of smoking in the LGBT
community. In some parts of the community, LGBT smoking rates can be as much as 50% higher
than their heterosexual counterparts. This along with the fact that smoking kills more
people each year than HIV/AIDS, car accidents, and drug and alcohol use combined, makes
smoking treatment programs an emerging public health priority for LGBT individuals.
The study will compare two Internet-based smoking treatments: one that provides general
information that has been helpful in a variety of smoking treatment programs, another that
includes the general information plus information and support designed especially for an
LGBT audience. Smokers will be randomly selected to participate in one or the other.
Researchers hope to enroll 600 participants over the course of a year. The purpose of the
study is to determine if either treatment results in higher rates of use, more quit
attempts, or higher quit rates.
iQuit is unique in offering participants cessation services that are highly convenient and
private. LGBTs can access the site’s resources any time of day, from multiple
locations, and their participation is kept confidential. To be eligible for the study,
individuals must be 18 years of age or older and identify as LGBT.
For more information about this study, visit the iQuit website at http://iquit.medschool.ucsf.edu
or please contact Anthony Taylor at taylora@itsa.ucsf.edu
or call us toll free at 866-895-8050.