Table 4.

StopAdvisor components: description and rationale

Intervention component	PRIME Theory principle(s)	BCT(s)	Website expertise
1. Text encouraging users to repeat to themselves: ‘Smoking is not an option’. Explain and introduce a motto: ‘Not a puff — no matter what’ and an image to accompany this.	Construct personal rule to generate strong resolve.	BM6 (Prompt commitment from the client there and then); BM8 (Strengthen ex-smoker identity); BM10 (Explain importance of abrupt cessation).	Eye catching image will be attractive. Provision of a simple motto that can be easily remembered can be taken away from the website and used/referred back to throughout the day.
2. Text encourages users to spend some time thinking about who they want to be in the future. They are asked to consider positive identities they might wish to take on once they have successfully completed their quit attempt.	Associate non-smoking to central aspects of identity.	BM8 (Strengthen ex-smoker identity).	This exercise has a positive focus. This, importantly, may again associate positive experiences, or positive images, with use of the website and the programme in general — fostering engagement.
3. Text offers reassurance and suggests high craving are a normal part of quitting smoking.	Develop new, and maximise impact of existing, sources of desire not to smoke.	BM5 (Provide normative information about others’ behaviour and experiences); RC1 (Build general rapport); RC6 (Provide information on withdrawal symptoms); RC10 (Provide reassurance).	Simple text may reassure users, and sustain effort to participate with the programme despite high cravings remaining.
4. Users are required to identify reasons for wanting to stop smoking. Importantly, they are given space to engage with these elements.	Develop new, and maximise impact of existing, sources of desire not to smoke.	BM9 (Identify reasons for wanting and not wanting to smoke).	Using radio buttons encourages engagement with the site. The information will be presented back to the participants.
5. Users are presented with key facts regarding how the body starts repairing itself immediately, as soon as the smoker stops.	Develop new, and maximise impact of existing, sources of desire not to smoke.	BM1 (Provide information on consequences of smoking and smoking cessation).	Facts can be presented in a quick and ‘punchy’ manner. This small amount of text carries a strong message regarding the benefits of quitting smoking.
6. It will be suggested that users visualise, in some detail, being told they have a serious illness.	Develop new, and maximise impact of existing, sources of desire not to smoke/Change aspects of identity that promote smoking.	BM1 (Provide information on consequences of smoking and smoking cessation); BM8 (Strengthen ex-smoker identity)	Strong use of mental imagery in this task will remind users of the negative health consequences of smoking. It is a simple task that is easy to imagine, thus promoting engagement.
7. When users get to a certain point without smoking a cigarette (8–10 days or more) they will be asked to reflect on this positive progress and use it to build confidence and continue with the quit attempt.	Develop new, and maximise impact of existing, sources of desire not to smoke.	BM2 (Boost motivation and self efficacy); BM4 (Provide rewards contingent on successfully stopping smoking); RC1 (Build general rapport).	This positive message will be designed specifically to promote sustained engagement with the intervention.
8. Users are encouraged to think about how well they are doing, and how they need to remember to reward themselves, by doing something they like — that does not remind them of smoking. They are provided with examples.	Develop new, and maximise impact of existing, sources of desire not to smoke/Maximise experience of reward from moving towards goal.	BM2 (Boost motivation and self efficacy); BM7 (Provide rewards contingent on effort or progress); BS10 (Advise on conserving mental resources).	This positive message aims to promote engagement by reminding users that a quit attempt need not be a struggle at all times. It may elicit positive affect, leading to a positive association with the website.
9. Users are encouraged to visualise an image of smoking as a battle. They are to think of themselves as winning the battle. A catching image will be provided.	Maximise experience of reward from moving towards goal.	BM2 (Boost motivation and self efficacy).	An eye-catching image will be used draw attention to this message, focusing smokers’ attention on the goal at hand.
10. A section will focus on the use of ‘buddies’ — teaming up with someone who is also trying to quit. Another will advise users on the potential benefits of telling family friends and colleagues.	Avoid cues that trigger urges to smoke.	BS3 (Facilitate action planning); BS11 (Advise on avoiding social cues for smoking); A2 (Advise on/facilitate use of social support).	This may promote the use of a network of social contacts to quit together. Users will be asked to type a specific plan for telling others, which will encourage engagement with the website. Additionally it provides another arm in the multifaceted approach to the intervention.
11. Users will be advised that there are some daily routines that can trigger cravings, and suggested changes to those routines will be recommended.	Avoid cues that trigger urges to smoke.	BS7 (Advise on changing routines).	This section offers interaction, through users considering their day-to-day activities, and applying the tips to their problem situations.
12. Users are asked to identify situations where they think they might smoke. Then, generate their own way of dealing with it.	Avoid cues that trigger urges to smoke.	BS1 (Facilitate barrier identification and problem solving); BS2 (Facilitate relapse prevention and coping).	More of a challenge, this activity will provide users with a chance to think about what they do already to help themselves stop smoking. Also, this gives a chance to engage more actively as users provide their own contribution.
13. Users are asked to note down activities they might use to keep themselves busy, when they feel the urge to smoke.	Develop effective ways of distracting attention.	BS2 (Facilitate relapse prevention and coping).	Users engage with the webpage and write down activities, rather than just reading.
14. Users are encouraged to use brisk exercise when they experience a craving.	Develop effective ways of distracting attention.	BS2 (Facilitate relapse prevention and coping).	This is brief, potentially very effective advice — ideally suited to a web context, providing valuable information with little time commitment.
15. A section will explain the potential benefits of using glucose tablets to suppress cravings.	Develop effective ways of distracting attention.	BS2 (Facilitate relapse prevention and coping).	This advice provides another potential route to reduced cravings — creating the perception that there is lots on offer. This may reinforce the potential usefulness of the website.
16. Users will be provided with advice and instructions about how tensing and relaxing areas of the body can reduce cravings. Audio will be used here.	Develop effective ways of distracting attention.	BS2 (Facilitate relapse prevention and coping); BS10 (Advise on conserving mental resources).	Again, this provides users with a skill they can take away from the website and use throughout the day. Coupled with a growing body of techniques this may increase engagement with the intervention through the perception of useful tools.
17. Users are advised to conserve their mental energy. Depletion of resources and cravings are described.	Maximise levels of mental energy.	BS10 (Advise on conserving mental resources); RC6 (Provide information on withdrawal symptoms).	This section will provide participants with a positive message: that it is important to take time out, and make sure they look after themselves. Positive messages stemming from the website may reinforce both the active technique and regular engagement with the programme.
18. Users are encouraged to attend to small things in their daily routine that may support their quit attempt. One such message is to try going to bed earlier than usual.	Maximise levels of mental energy/Avoid cues that trigger urges to smoke.	BS7 (Advise on changing routines); BS10 (Advise on conserving mental resources).	This is simple advice which can be expressed briefly, and may takes users a day further into their quit attempt, thus reducing the likelihood that they will smoke.
19. Users will learn relaxation techniques. These will be presented through audio.	Maximise levels of mental energy/Develop effective ways of distracting attention.	BS2 (Facilitate relapse prevention and coping); BS10 (Advise on conserving mental resources).	The use of audio for this section increases the variety of media used on the website. Relaxation training also provides participants the opportunity to develop or learn a skill that they can take away from the website.
20. There will be a detailed fully tailored section on medication advice, for those using medication with the website.	Make most effective use of medication.	BS2 (Facilitate relapse prevention and coping); BS3 (Facilitate action planning); A1 (Advise on stop-smoking medication); A3 (Adopt local procedures to enable users to obtain free medication).	This section will be highly tailored. This will increase the perception of detailed, individualized information. This is critical to sustain engagement. Use of medication is also highly likely to help with relapse prevention.
21. Users will be provided with supportive messages of encouragement throughout the intervention.	Establish a rapport with website/Always provide rewarding experience.	BM2 (Boost motivation and self efficacy); RC1 (Build general rapport).	These messages will help to portray the website as supportive, and understanding. They will be provided both when a user is feeling low in confidence, and high in confidence (in the latter case they will be very brief).