BUPA and Facebook help you Stop Smoking

BUPA and Facebook seem like an unlikely combination but a new Facebook application called QuitClock has developed by BUPA to help people stop smoking. It is interesting that the largest medical insurance company in the Uk is harnessing the huge power of this social networking site.

QuitClock is a little tool which lets you know how much time has elapsed since you gave up smoking. It also shows you how much money you have saved by giving up. This is an important point as giving up the cigarettes will also give you cheap health insurance as premiums are higher for smokers. It is well recognised in coaching circles that change that is measurable is easier to sustain. BUPA's QuitClock is helpful in this way but also enables family and friends to give online support and encouragement by leaving messages. A good support network is also important in sustaining change.

Senior health editor at BUPA Alastair McQueen said "QuitClock is the first Facebook application BUPA has released. It's a new way to engage people who use social networking sites and who want to stop smoking."

Personally I gave up smoking in December and QuitClock has let me know that I have saved just over £203. This is a huge amount and more than I would have paid for a medical health insurance policy. The tool also allows you to let all your Facebook friends how well you are still doing.

It makes sense that BUPA has developed this tool for Facebook. Most Facebook users are under 40 and so are most smokers. According to ASH (Action on Smoking and Health) The highest proportion of smokers is found amongst 20 to 24 year olds (33% of men and 29% of women smoke) and two thirds of smokers start before their 18th birthday.

It will be interesting to see if BUPA release any more applications for Facebook.