Using new information technology to treat tobacco dependence.

Smoking cessation programs that can be disseminated at a large scale and at a low cost are needed to decrease smoking-related mortality and morbidity. Research showed that several computer-based smoking cessation programs are effective, in particular when they are combined with pharmacotherapy. When available on the Internet, these programs can reach thousands of smokers at a low cost per participant. Some of these programs are designed to complement smoking cessation counseling given by physicians to their patients who smoke. They can be a useful adjunct to medical advice and should be prescribed in association with pharmacotherapy. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel