Problem/Objective: An estimated 12 million people in the United State currently use smokeless tobacco (ST) products (snuff and chewing tobacco) and there are few resources to assist them in quitting. We developed a web program for smokeless tobacco cessation and evaluated the efficacy of the program in a randomized clinical trial.

Methods: Participants were recruited primarily through promotional mailings to media outlets in 31 states, paid online advertising and targeted mailings to state tobacco control organizations. Participants completed consent and enrollment online, and were randomized to either a website that provided linear, text-based ST cessation information (Basic Condition) or an interactive, tailored ST cessation program (Enhanced Condition) that offered streaming video, tailored cessation planning and social support via two forums (“Talk with Others” and “Ask the Expert”). Follow up data was collected at 6-weeks, 3-months, and 6-months post enrollment. Results: The study enrolled 2,523 participants. Results show that participants in the Enhanced Condition reported significantly higher cessation of tobacco than for those in the Basic Condition at all time points. Participants in the Enhanced Condition visited their Web-based content significantly more often and showed longer overall duration of visiting.

Conclusions: Web-based programs can offer broad access to cessation assistance for ST users who may not have access to other cessation support. This is the first study to show the efficacy of a cessation program for ST users via the Web. Results indicate that users of the enhanced site had significantly more engagement with the site and their engagement was highly related to ST cessation.