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IS ALLEN CARR’S “EASYWAY TO STOP SMOKING” SUPERIOR TO QUIT.IE? PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Poster · March 2017

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.34139.57121

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Sheila Keogan Shasha Li

TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland
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 IS ALLEN CARR’S “EASYWAY TO STOP SMOKING” 

SUPERIOR TO QUIT.IE?
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM
A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Sheila Keogan, Shasha Li, Luke Clancy

TOBACCOFREE RESEARCH INSTITUTE IRELAND (TFRI)

BACKGROUND
Allen Carr’s “Easyway to Stop Smoking” method has become There were 135 Female participants and 165 Male participants
increasingly popular since 1985. There are claims that it has there was no significant difference in quit rates between the
“cured at least 10 million smokers”. Its scientific basis is still genders.
unclear in terms of cessation interventions. Despite its
widespread popularity and use, there have been no RCT to Figure 2: Quit rates according to Gender
substantiate the efficacy claims for the AC Easyway method.

DESIGN/ METHODS

300 participants were recruited through public advertisement.

Potential subjects were screened by TFRI to determine eligibility
for inclusion in the study. Those who met the criteria were
randomised to either the Allen Carr programme or Quit.ie
services.
The Allen Carr treatment was delivered by Allen Carr’s Easyway
Ireland. The Quit.ie service was delivered by the HSE as per the
clients’ requirements. Participants were followed up at 1, 3, 6
and 12 months post attending Allen Carr or setting a quit date
with Quit.ie. Quit status was verified by breath CO. Quit rates
were reported on an intention-to-treat basis.
At the one and three month data point analysis show that the
RESULTS: more well educated have a considerably better quit rate in both
Of the 300 enrolled 151 participants were randomised to Allen treatment arms.
Carr and 149 to the Quit.ie service. Randomization was matched
in each group according to age, gender and SE Class.
Figure 3: Quit rates according to Education level.
Table 1: Showing gender split in each arm of the study 45% 42%
Quit.ie Allen Carr All 40%
Male 81 (54.4%) 84 (55.6%) 165 (55.0%) 35%
33%

Female 68 (45.6%) 67 (44.4%) 135 (45.0%) 30% 26% 26%

25% Above Leaving
19%
Quit rates were significantly higher in the Allen Carr limb both at 20% certificate
1 and 3 months. ** p<.001The quit rates are point prevalence 13% Leaving certificate &
15%
rather than continuous abstinence. below
10% 7%
4%
Figure 1: Overview of quit rates at 1 and 3 months 5%
0%
1 Month 3 months 1 Month 3 months
Allen Carr Allen Carr quit.ie quit.ie

CONCLUSIONS:
Preliminary analysis suggests that the Allen Carr method is
more effective than Quit.ie at 1 and 3 months. Results from 6
and 12 months will follow. Further analysis will try to identify
success factors and longer term outcomes.
Acknowledgements:
Funding DOH Lottery Fund.
Focas Research Institute

For additional information please contact:

Sheila Keogan TobaccoFree Research Institute Ireland
skeogan@tri.ie
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