Kick Vaping: Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of a vaping cessation text messaging intervention for Latino young adults

Abstract

Objective To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of Kick Vaping among Latino young adults. Methods Forty Latino young adults (ages 18 to 25) who were currently vaping received Kick Vaping, a vaping cessation text messaging intervention available in English and Spanish. Feasibility was measured by the eligibility, enrollment, and follow-up rates. Acceptability was measured by overall satisfaction with the intervention. Preliminary impact was measured by self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence and changes in self-efficacy. Results Two hundred three individuals were identified, 61 were assessed for eligibility, and 55 were eligible. Forty individuals consented to participate and were enrolled in Kick Vaping. At baseline, most participants used disposable devices (70%), vaped daily (97.5%), had low (37.5%) or medium (35.0%) e-cigarette dependence, and had attempted to quit in the past year (72.5%). At Month 3, the follow-up rate was 90% (36/40). Treating those lost to follow-up as participants who continued vaping, 75% (30/40) of participants self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence. Self-efficacy mean scores significantly increased from 30.65 (SD 8.07) at baseline to 50.11 (SD 10.57) at follow-up (p < 0.01). Most participants (88.9%, 32/36) reported being satisfied/extremely satisfied with Kick Vaping. Conclusion It is feasible to recruit and retain Latino young adults in a vaping cessation text messaging intervention. Kick Vaping generated high satisfaction among Latino young adults, significantly increased self-efficacy, and resulted in a notable vaping cessation rate at Month 3. Additional testing in a randomized controlled trial is warranted to assess the efficacy of the intervention.