Vote to Help Communities Quit Smoking

Online, May 19, 2010 (Newswire.com) - http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20100518007145/en/CANCER/Cigarettes/Heart

HOLLYWOOD, CA May 18th -- Every 6.5 seconds a current or former smoker dies, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Smoking is the number one preventable killer in the world. If you are a cancer survivor, a care-giver of someone with cancer, or perhaps a family member of someone suffering from heart disease, lung cancer or even throat cancer, you know what an emotional burden these conditions create for the entire family. Having a strong support network of family and friends offers the best chance of fostering a healing, healthy and loving environment for a cancer patient. Why not extend that support network to include prevention and perhaps avoid disease altogether?

With that question in mind, Quit Together set out to explore developing an iPhone app that actually helped people quit smoking.

Welcome to the future. > http://www.quittogether.org

But, the future will only come if we want it. Because to develop the app they must get the most votes in the Pepsi Refresh contest which only has less than 2 weeks to go. They are asking cancer-surviving families, health care professionals, researchers, academics, scientists, iPhone-lovers, technology enthusiasts, geeks, nerds and everyone else to cast their vote as much as possible for the rest of May, and tell everyone they know to do the same.

"The response to this idea has been off-the-charts" says Scott Ford, co-founder of Quit Together and Creative Director of 4PP L4B, the company that will develop the application. "But, we need that enthusiasm to translate into votes, so we are asking anyone affected by smoking-related illness and disease to help get out the vote." Ford goes on to point out "that really means just about everyone" when you consider the public health consequences that have not been considered until recent years.

On less than $150, and with the generous help of some talented friends, Ford and his business partner made this video so that people would have something simple and easy to pass around. "There's advantages to living in Hollywood" he remarks about producing the video with no money. "Everyone has been very generous with their time and talent." He hopes that same generosity will carry his idea to the top of the list to win a $50,000 grant prize from Pepsi's successful social media campaign where they are giving away millions to fund great ideas that change the world. Ford states it simply, "With your votes, we have a chance to turn soft-drink money into saving lives."

Just what does the future look like?

"Dear Facebook, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has supported me in my quest to quit smoking and give up cigarettes for good. I mean, it is just incredible to have a friend there to talk you down from a smoke. But, to literally have 15, 25 or even 30 comments from you guys at the exact time I have the urge to smoke is just wonderful, and reminds me how much I am loved and lucky to have you all in my life. I've even made a few new friends. And for you guys that are not following me yet on my iPhone, click here and watch me suffer up close and personal!! LOL! Today, I haven't smoked in 6 months. I could not have come this far without you. Thank you and much love to you all. -- Jenny"

The future could hold thousands, if not millions, of stories that sound just like that one.

4PP L4B wants to use social networking services like Facebook and Twitter to turn the iPhone into a real-time, personalized support system to be used when "Quitters" need it most. For example, someone could be at work, at the bar, or anywhere else they might be tempted to reach for a smoke, and they can send an SOS to their friends for help at that very moment. In addition to being packed with educational information from local smoking cessation groups, it becomes a "killer app" by using real-time feedback from friends (personally) and others in the community (anonymously) who are quitting too, who have already successfully quit, or who just want to help.

"The urge to smoke typically only lasts 2 to 5 minutes. For people kicking the habit, this kind of access to a support group is a game-changer." Ford says.

http://eon.businesswire.com/news/eon/20100518007145/en/CANCER/Cigarettes/Heart

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4PP L4B is a joint venture between FamCom, Inc. and Twerp Laboratories.

FamCom, Inc. with offices in Los Angeles, London and Faridabad, was founded in 2006 on the simple philosophy of creating solutions that add value. With years of experience in software development and IT management, their aim is to make the experience of adopting technology seamless and easy to their clients.

Contact:
Karm Khanna
[email protected]
323-459-2686

Twerp Laboratories is a progressive design studio providing compelling content and creative consultation for web, print, wireless, advertising, marketing and merchandising outlets. They are located in Hollywood, CA.

Contact:
Scott Ford
[email protected]
323-467-2828