Jesse Dallery & Irene M. Glenn (2005).
Effects of an internet-based voucher reinforcement program for smoking abstinence:
A feasibility study.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
38, 349-357.
The present study tested the feasibility of an Internet-based method to obtain
objective evidence of smoking abstinence and to deliver vouchers for evidence
of abstinence. Four heavy smokers participated in this 4-week study. Twice daily,
participants made video recordings of themselves providing a breath carbon
monoxide (CO) sample with a Web camera. The video was sent electronically
to the smoking clinic. Participants could earn vouchers for gradual
reductions in breath CO during an initial shaping condition, and then
for achieving abstinence (CO = 4 ppm). Vouchers could be exchanged
for merchandise at select Internet vendors. Relative to baseline
conditions, participants substantially reduced their smoke intake,
and 3 achieved sustained periods of abstinence. The study suggests
that an Internet-based voucher reinforcement program is a feasible
method to promote abstinence from cigarette smoking.
DESCRIPTORS: cigarette smoking, drug abstinence, reinforcement, nicotine, vouchers