Planning to Quit Smoking? Try Joining a Social Media Group

People who seek help on social media sites and connect with others trying to quit smoking are more likely to kick the butt, a new study has found.

Quitting smoking can add years to a person's life and can reduce risk of many cancers. Research has shown that giving up smoking at any age can be beneficial to health. However, giving it up can be incredibly hard.

A new study by researchers at the University of Georgia found that people who join health-based social networking sites find it relatively easier to quit smoking. Joe Phua, the study author, found that people on this site interact with other people in the same situation and so can connect with them. These people not only give up smoking after being encouraged by others, but also stay away from cigarettes for a very long time.

The study is the first to look at how interconnectedness helps people achieve goals. Also, offline support groups are expensive and would require travel, which is not feasible for people living in remote areas. Social networking sites, on the other hand, might be a cheaper and a convenient way to help quit smoking.

"This study helps further the notion that social networking sites and other forms of social media can help people to improve their health conditions," said Phua in a news release. "These can be used as a standalone way to improve chronic health conditions, or as part of a holistic treatment plan that includes both professional offline help and online social media sites."

The study is published in the Journal of Communication.                                    

Smoking is linked with cancers of the liver, bowel, pancreas, bladder and ovary as well. Smoking affects not just the smokers but also those around them. Secondhand smoke can cause heart disease, breathing problems, lung cancer, dementia and respiratory tract infections.