Smokers Click to Get Quitting Support in the Palm of their Hand

NASHVILLE, TN (07/07/2015)(readMedia)-- The American Lung Association and Pfizer today announced the launch of Quitter's Circle, a new digital initiative designed to help smokers face common obstacles associated with quitting. A cornerstone of Quitter's Circle is a mobile app and online community. Within a few clicks, Quitter's Circle users can personalize a quit plan, receive support from friends and family, and get encouragement to talk with a healthcare provider about quitting, including real-time, mobile access to doctors so smokers can kick start their quit journey.

In Tennessee, more than 1,162,524 people continue to smoke despite the fact that a recent survey found that 85 percent of current smokers express worry about the health consequences of smoking.1 The survey also found that 93 percent of Americans agree that quitting smoking is difficult. 1 Smokers – on average – try to quit six to 11 times in their lives before becoming smokefree.3

The survey further identified that only 36 percent of smokers have a plan in place to quit.1 A quit plan is often designed in consultation with a healthcare provider and clinician advice and support can double the odds of successfully quitting smoking.2 With just a few clicks, Quitter's Circle users can easily access resources to start the conversation with their current healthcare provider, establish video consultations with a doctor or find one in their local area.

While a quit plan is important, support is also key. According to the survey, 80 percent of smokers who are trying to quit reported that support from others, including friends, family, significant others and even coworkers, is very important to quitting successfully.1 Quitter's Circle is designed to connect users directly with this support through the Quitter's Circle app - a key tool in the Quitter's Circle 'social' community – as well as through Facebook, QuittersCircle.com and Twitter.

"Quitting smoking is the single most important step a smoker can take, but quitting can be lonely and hard work without support," said Harold Wimmer, National President & CEO of the American Lung Association. "By downloading the Quitter's Circle app, smokers looking to quit can join a community who want to help, and invite friends and family to be part of their Quit Team, so they can follow their journey and provide 'quitspiration' to keep them going."

Additionally, those who smoke also might need help when it comes to the financial impact of quitting. Through the mobile app, supporters can help with the cost of quitting through crowdfunding, including visits with a doctor, counseling, and medications to assist with the cost of quitting smoking.

Whether you want to quit smoking, are ready to quit now, have already started a quit attempt or are supporting someone else on their path to quitting, download the Quitter's Circle app, available on Android and Apple smartphones and the Apple Watch. For information and tips to help on the journey to quit, visit QuittersCircle.com or join the Quitter's Circle community at Facebook.com/QuittersCircle and @QuittersCircle on Twitter.

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American Lung Association in Tennessee • One Vantage Way, Suite C120, Nashville, TN 37228

1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) Lung.org

About the Survey

The survey was conducted using the online omnibus field services of TNS, a global research organization that is part of Kantar, an insight, information and consultancy group, between April 2 and April 6, 2015. It included 2,500 Americans, aged 18+ regardless of their smoking status. Of the 2,500 respondents, 19 percent identified themselves as current smokers, defined as those who smoke daily or occasionally, and six percent identified as currently trying to quit. Data for this survey were tested for statistical difference at a confidence level of 95 percent with a margin of error of ±1.9 percent.

About the American Lung Association

The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease, through research, education and advocacy. The work of the American Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; to improve the air we breathe; to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families; and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-586-4872) or visit: Lung.org.

Pfizer Inc: Working together for a healthier world®

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products. Our global portfolio includes medicines and vaccines as well as many of the world's best-known consumer health care products. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world's premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on us. To learn more, please visit us at www.pfizer.com.

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1TNS. Express Online Omnibus – Cigarette Smoking. Survey. 2 April 2015 – 6 April 2015

2 Fiore MC, Jaén CR, Baker TB, Bailey WC, Benowitz NL, Curry SJ, Dorfman SF, Froelicher ES, Goldstein MG, Froelicher ES, Healton CG, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update-Clinical Practice Guidelines. Rockville (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2008.

3 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Women and Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services, Office of the Surgeon General, 2001.