The New Zealand Health Research Council has allocated $1.5 million to Auckland University researchers to design a stop-smoking programme of video and text messaging, aimed at 18 - 24 year olds.
The Quitline service claims that group has become the most eager to stop. Up to 1,300 young people will be recruited to take part in the programme, with 200 getting a free upgrade to a video phone. They will be sent video logs from people who have quit smoking, along with games and text messaging.
The Health Council is hoping that confronting young smokers who are willing to quit with these successtories will help them pull through the difficult first fase of quitting.
