Recommended program

Aspire: Smoking Prevention Program

  • ASPIRE logo
Targeted Drugs:
Silver

This resource is supported by one published study.

Available

The Aspire program is managed and distributed by The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Click below to be directed to their website and for more information on accessing the program.

Access Aspire program

Developers

  • The University of Texas Health Science Center
  • MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Format

The program is made up of 5 modules incoporating videos, interactive exercises, and quizzes (approximately 4 hours of content in total). Students work through the program at their own pace; no teacher involvement is required. A Spanish language version is available. The modules are targeted towards the following motivational stages:

  1. “I’ve never smoked before.”
  2. “Yeah I smoke, so what?”
  3. “I want to quit, what are the steps?”
  4. “I’m trying to quit and feeling tempted.”
  5. “I’m trying to quit and I’m stressed out.”

Users can select the smoking status and motivational stage most relevant to them, or work their way through all modules sequentially. 

Summary

ASPIRE is an interactive online program for teenagers that aims to prevent uptake of smoking, and reduce use for current smokers. It uses a multimedia approach including cartoon animations, interactive exercises, and video testimonials from peers and medical professionals. Aspire was designed in the US with ethnically-diverse communities in mind. Please note that some content is specifically tailored for a US audience and will not be relevant for Australians (e.g., the cost of a packet of cigarettes).  

The program provides information on short- and long-term consequences of smoking, including financial, health, social, and environmental consequences. Guidance for quitting smoking is provided, including:

  • Identifying motivations for quitting
  • Steps to making a quit plan
  • Accessing support
  • Understanding addiction
  • Understanding and dealing with temptation
  • Managing stress and negative thoughts.

Benefits

  • Reduced uptake of smoking.

Evidence Base

Benefits of the program have not been evaluated in an Australian sample. Benefits of completing all 5 modules of the Aspire program followed by two brief "booster" sessions have been demonstrated in one published study as listed below.

Page last reviewed: 12/08/2022

Something missing?

Looking for information that isn’t provided here?

Make a suggestion for this website

Need immediate support for
you or someone you know?

Get help and support now