New "Blueprint to Quit" Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Program Available for Smokers

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- "Blueprint to Quit" is a comprehensive quit-smoking program designed to provide resources for smokers interested in quitting, available exclusively at Walmart. Through the program, smokers have access to online behavioral support resources on QuitNet.com – including trained experts and a variety of quitting materials and self-assessment tools – and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms. With the purchase of any NRT product, such as Nicorette® gum and lozenge or NicoDerm® CQ® patch, customers will receive a QuitNet Premium Membership Card for free after mail-in rebate.    

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111115/NY05495LOGO )

"I know from personal experience that quitting smoking is hard and without support, can be extremely difficult. Smokers need help to overcome the physical cravings for nicotine and learn how to change behaviors associated with smoking," said Brad Lamm,* an intervention specialist and founder of the Change Institute. "'Blueprint to Quit' is a program that offers comprehensive support with nicotine replacement therapy, such as Nicorette and NicoDerm CQ, and online behavioral support through QuitNet to help smokers achieve the goal of quitting smoking."  

Many studies have proven that NRT products, such as Nicorette gum and lozenge and NicoDerm CQ patch, combined with behavioral support, increase a smoker's chances of quitting.(1) NRT has helped millions of people around the world quit smoking and is statistically proven to double a smoker's chances of quitting over placebo.(2)

"As a former smoker, I know how hard it is to break a tobacco addiction and I've dedicated my life to helping people quit smoking," Cheryl G. Healton, DrPH*, president and CEO of Legacy®, who in addition to Brad Lamm and Dr. Frank Vitale, is part of Blueprint to Quit's Wellness Team of Experts. "Smokers need the best available information to make the most informed choices about the quit smoking medications and resources available to them. The 'Blueprint to Quit' plan is distinct from other plans because it combines useful resources like quit smoking aids and an online quit plan to help people quit smoking."

For more information, please visit www.walmart.com/blueprinttoquit. For broadcast quality footage, please visit http://www.newsinfusion.com/events/blueprinttoquit.

*Brad Lamm is a paid spokesperson for the "Blueprint to Quit" initiative sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare; however his opinions are his own. Dr. Healton endorses the use of evidence-based online smoking cessation counseling and FDA-approved NRT products; however, she does not endorse specific brands. No corporate funding or other consideration has been provided to Dr. Healton in connection with this promotion other than the minimum SAG-mandated payment.

About "Blueprint to Quit"

The "Blueprint to Quit" comprehensive quit-smoking program is a two-part plan that helps smokers address both the physical cravings and the behavioral changes associated with quitting smoking. The first part of the program involves using an NRT stop-smoking aid to address the physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and the second part uses a behavioral support program (BSP) on QuitNet to facilitate the changing of behaviors commonly associated with smoking.

About Healthways

Healthways is the leading provider of specialized, comprehensive solutions to help millions of people maintain or improve their health and well-being and, as a result, reduce overall costs.  Healthways' solutions are designed to help healthy individuals stay healthy, mitigate or eliminate lifestyle risk factors that can lead to disease and optimize care for those with chronic illness.  Our proven, evidence-based programs provide highly specific and personalized interventions for each individual in a population, irrespective of age or health status, and are delivered to consumers by phone, mail, internet and face-to-face interactions, both domestically and internationally.  Healthways also provides a national, fully accredited complementary and alternative Health Provider Network and a national Fitness Center Network, offering convenient access to individuals who seek health services outside of, and in conjunction with, the traditional healthcare system.  For more information, please visit www.healthways.com.

About QuitNet

Healthways is a health and well-being improvement company that strives to make the world a healthier place, and is the creator of QuitNet. QuitNet addresses the changing behaviors commonly associated with smoking. The program offers smokers who are interested in quitting a 24/7 online support program with self-assessment tools, experts and message boards to provide smokers with the support they need. QuitNet is an online BSP.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette® and NicoDerm® CQ®, as well as many products such as alli®, Aquafresh®, Sensodyne® and TUMS®.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit GSK.com.

About Walmart

Walmart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 9,600 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries. With fiscal year 2011 sales of $419 billion, Walmart employs 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://walmartstores.com and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart. Online merchandise sales are available at http://www.walmart.com and http://www.samsclub.com.

(1) Strecher VJ; Shiffman S; West R. Randomized controlled trial of a web-based computer-tailored smoking cessation program as a supplement to nicotine patch therapy. Addiction. 2005 May;100(5):682-88.

(2) Stead et al. Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2008.  Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, LTD.

SOURCE Blueprint to Quit