Effect of Helpers Program On-line Training on Smoking Relapse and Social Networks

"The Helpers Stay Quit training emphasizes a tobacco-user centered, non-confrontational approach to encouraging others to quit smoking. Helpers Stay Quit trainees learn how to offer a 4-step helping conversation. The four steps of a helping conversation parallel the 4 core training modules of Helpers Stay Quit (Awareness, Understanding, Helping, Relating). A key learning objective of Helpers Stay Quit, is for Helpers to learn how to manage their own expectations for the process and outcome of a helping conversation (e.g. Helpers are taught that they cannot make anyone quit, but they can offer non-judgmental support, and information about effective cessation aids). Consequently, Helpers are taught to manage their own behavior when helping others (e.g. avoiding nagging or pushing a tobacco-user to quit). The helping conversation focuses on encouraging behavior change that is aligned with the tobacco user's current willingness/readiness to take any action toward quitting."