The study is being conducted by researchers at the University of Newcastle and Hunter New England Population Health.

It will examine the effectiveness of real-time video counselling delivered via Skype, FaceTime or Facebook Messenger to smokers in their homes in regional and remote areas – where it can be difficult to access health facilities that provide smoking cessation support.

Lead researcher Dr Flora Tzelepis said it is important that effective and easily accessible strategies are available to help Cessnock residents who are interested in quitting smoking – especially considering the LGA’s high rates of smoking.

Statistics recently released by the Heart Foundation revealed smoking rates in the Cessnock local government area are well above the national average.

The figures estimate 8762 Cessnock LGA residents over the age of 18 were current daily smokers, accounting for about 22 percent of the population – compared to a national average of 16.1.

Dr Tzelepis and her team are seeking people aged 18 years or older who smoke cigarettes or use tobacco every day; have access to a telephone, a mode of video-communication, the internet and an email address; and live in a regional or remote area of NSW to take part in the study.

Study participants will be offered either video support sessions, telephone support calls or written materials.

Participants will also be asked to complete a brief online survey about their smoking habits initially and then four months, seven months and 13 months later.

“This study will help us determine if people who smoke are willing to use video-communication, telephone support or written materials during a quit attempt or to help them cut down and move closer to quitting,” Dr Tzelepis said.

Dr Tzelepis will compare the results of her study with those using Quitline telephone counselling or written materials.

She said video counselling may strengthen the rapport between the advisor and smoker, and eliminate the need to travel long distances to access face-to-face support.

Visit www.newcastle.edu.au/research/quit to sign up.

Email flora.tzelepis@newcastle.edu.au or call 4924 6275 for more information.