QuitNet is one of those few new programs that encourage tobacco addicts to take New Year resolution to quit smoking.

The program’s website (www. nd. quitnet. com) is offering practical tips help addicts stay away from tobacco. The tips will be available throughout the year for free.

Administered by the North Dakota Health Department, QuitNet also offers supply of nicotine patches, chewing gum and lozenges for two months for free to those who are uninsured or whose insurance does not cover the cost of cessation medications.

Director Michelle Walker, of the cessation program for the North Dakota Department of Health’s tobacco prevention & control arm, said that the website would be very beneficial for those who want anonymity plus flexibility of online help.

Speaking about QuitNet, Mr. Walker said, “QuitNet offers supportive emails, tips for quitting and chat rooms. There’s a huge community out there they can access.”

Normally, smokers who try to quit smoking on their own have a 3-5 per cent success rate, but Quitline has a much better success rate at 36 per cent.

Various surveys showed that around 70 per cent of smokers would like to quit smoking.