Self-reported 7-day Point Prevalence Abstinence Research Articles

The Efficacy of the SinHumo App Combined With a Psychological Treatment to Quit Smoking: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

This study assessed the efficacy of the SinHumo App combined with a cognitive-behavioral smoking cessation treatment on 12-month follow-up abstinence, compared with the same smoking cessation treatment and a control App. A sample of 288 treatment-seeking people who smoke were randomized: SinHumo App plus smoking cessation treatment (n = 140) and control App plus smoking cessation treatment (n = 148). The primary outcome was 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) at the 12-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were abstinence rates at the end of the intervention and 3- and 6-month follow-ups, cigarette per day (CPD) reduction over the 12-month follow-up, intervention engagement, and satisfaction. Intention-to-treat analyses showed nonsignificant differences in self-reported 7-day PPA at the 12-month follow-up (37.1 and 42.6%, respectively; OR = 0.80). No significant differences were found in abstinence at the end of the treatment (68.6 vs. 62.8%) nor on 7-day PPA at 3- (35.7 vs. 45.9%) and 6-month (35.0 vs. 41.2%) follow-up. Complete case and multiple imputation analyses yielded similar results for abstinence outcomes. A significant reduction in CPD across the 12-month follow-up in the subsample of participants who smoked was observed, but nonsignificant differences between conditions were found. Higher engagement with the SinHumo App was a significant predictor of 12-month abstinence. Satisfaction with the intervention was high and similar in both groups. High abstinence rates over the 12-month follow-up and satisfaction were found in both conditions. The inclusion of the SinHumo App did not improve abstinence rates in the intervention. Scarce research has examined the long-term efficacy of smoking cessation treatments, including Apps, to support the quitting process. The present randomized controlled trial contributes to the existing literature about including information and communication technologies in behavior change interventions. The development of effective smoking cessation apps and information and communication technologies-based interventions is crucial for reducing the prevalence of smoking, as these interventions have the potential to reach a large number of people who smoke and reduce access-related barriers to treatment.

Efficacy of an individual-tailored smoking cessation intervention APP among Chinese smokers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background and aimsTobacco use has posed a tremendous public health problem for China. The Chinese government has taken great efforts to curb the tobacco epidemic. However, the existing smoking cessation services available in China are underused and have some limitations. Our research team intends to develop a smartphone smoking cessation application (SSC APP) and integrate it with the existing smoking cessation services. This study aims to assess the efficacy of the SSC APP developed by our research team through a randomized controlled trial (RCT).MethodsCurrent smokers who are motivated to quit within 1 month (n = 1000) will be recruited both online and offline, and all potential participants will register and complete the prescreening assessment online. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group (receiving the SSC APP and a self-help smoking cessation manual) or the control group (receiving a self-help smoking cessation manual only) using a block randomization method. This study will be a two-arm, single-blind, parallel-group RCT. Participants will be followed up after enrollment through online questionnaires or by phone call. The primary outcome is self-reported 6-month continuous abstinence. The main secondary outcomes include self-reported 7-day point-prevalence abstinence at each follow-up; self-reported 3-month continuous abstinence; reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day; and the number of recent quit attempts.DiscussionIf this SSC APP proves to be effective, it could be integrated with the existing smoking cessation services and further facilitate smoking cessation at the population level in China.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200062097, Registered July 22, 2022.

Do medications increase the efficacy of digital interventions for smoking cessation? Secondary results from the iCanQuit randomized trial.

iCanQuit is a smartphone application (app) proven efficacious for smoking cessation in a Phase III randomized controlled trial (RCT). This study aimed to measure whether medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for smoking cessation would further enhance the efficacy of iCanQuit, relative to its parent trial comparator-the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) QuitGuide app. Secondary analysis of the entire parent trial sample of a two-group (iCanQuit and QuitGuide), stratified, doubled-blind RCT. United States. Participants who reported using an FDA-approved cessation medication on their own (n= 619) and those who reported no use of cessation medications (n= 1469). Participants were randomized to receive iCanQuit app or NCI's QuitGuide app. Use of FDA-approved medications was measured at 3 months post-randomization. Smoking cessation outcomes were measured at 3, 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was 12-month self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA). The data retention rate at the 12-month follow-up was 94.0%. Participants were aged 38.5 years, 71.0% female, 36.6% minority race/ethnicity, 40.6% high school or less education, residing in all 50 US States and smoking 19.2 cigarettes/day. The 29.6% of all participants who used medications were more likely to choose nicotine replacement therapy (NRT; 78.8%) than other cessation medications (i.e. varenicline or bupropion; 18.3 and 10.5%, respectively) and use did not differ by app treatment assignment (all P> 0.05). There was a significant (P= 0.049) interaction between medication use and app treatment assignment on PPA. Specifically, 12-month quit rates were 34% for iCanQuit versus 20% for QuitGuide [odds ratio (OR) = 2.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.59, 3.49] among participants reporting any medication use, whereas among participants reporting no medication use, quit rates were 28% for iCanQuit versus 22% for QuitGuide (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.09, 1.82). Results were stronger for those using only NRT: 40% quit rates for iCanQuit versus 18% quit rates for QuitGuide (OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 2.20, 5.79). The iCanQuit smartphone app for smoking cessation was more efficacious than the QuitGuide smartphone app, regardless of whether participants used medications to aid cessation. Smoking cessation medications, especially nicotine replacement therapy, might enhance the efficacy of the iCanQuit app.

Effect of unguided e-cigarette provision on uptake, use, and smoking cessation among adults who smoke in the USA: a naturalistic, randomised, controlled clinical trial

As summarised in the most recent Cochrane review, the few clinical trials on e-cigarettes are largely focused on smoking cessation. We aimed to determine the naturalistic uptake, use, and impact of e-cigarettes among adults who may or may not want to stop smoking. In this naturalistic, randomised, controlled clinical trial, adult smokers, across the motivational spectrum and with minimal history of e-cigarette use, were recruited online from the general community within 11 cities across the USA. Participants were randomly assigned (2:1) to either receive either a free 4-week supply of flavoured, tank-style e-cigarette, or not. E-cigarette group participants received a battery and device with up to 30 pre-filled tanks, offered among five flavours, with minimal instructions on use. The study's primary purpose was to descriptively assess naturalistic uptake and usage of the e-cigarette, and to secondarily assess its impact on smoking behavior. The latter, assessed through six months of follow-up, included: a) self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence, b) incidence of quit attempts, and c) smoking reduction. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03453385. Between 5/2018 and 3/2022, 638 adult smokers were enrolled and randomly assigned (427 in the e-cigarette group and 211 in the no-product control group). Uptake of e-cigarettes was robust: approximately 70% of participants used the product, with average usage exceeding 4 days per week during the initial 30 days. Based on an intent-to-treat approach where missing data is imputed as smoking, almost all behavioral outcomes favored the e-cigarette group relative to no-product control, including point prevalence abstinence at six months (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.8; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.0-3.1), cumulative incidence of 24-hr quit attempts (OR=1.5; 95% CI=1.0-2.2), and having reduced smoking by at least 50% since baseline (OR=1.8; 95% CI=1.2-2.7). Results were similar under an alternative imputation. Complementing cessation-focused trials, results suggest that unguided e-cigarette use also leads tosmoking cessation, allaying the notion that causal effects of e-cigarettes on cessation are not reflective of real-world scenario of self-determined use. For smokers who may not be able to quit using existing pharmacologic approaches, e-cigarettes may be considered to achive that purpose. National Cancer Institute.

Is self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence an useful measure for smoking cessation effectiveness among individuals with mental disorders?

Smoking rates among individuals with mental disorders are higher compared to general population. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a smoking cessation treatment among individuals with and without mental disorders. Self-report 7-day point prevalence was used to assess abstinence status among ‘intention to treat’ (n = 1,213) and ‘completers-only’ (n = 578) samples. Participants were distributed in (1) ND-only; (2) ND and other substance use disorder (ND-SUD); (3) ND associated with mental disorder but no other SUD (ND-MD); and (4) co-morbid ND, SUD and MD (ND-SUMD). The treatment program was composed by six weeks of group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medical consultations. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied. Rates of abstinence between ND-only and both ND-MD and ND-SUMD differed in the ‘intention-to-treat’ sample, with the former group showing the best rate (62.5%, 48% and 45.4% respectively). ND-SUD had the second-best rate of abstinence (56.1%). Differences between groups were not observed among ‘completers-only’. Self-report 7-day point prevalence abstinence is economical and reliable to be used in low to middle-income countries. In this study, it showed that the 6-week smoking cessation treatment had a positive effect among completers, which supports the importance of investing in treatment to decrease smoking prevalence in this population.

Testing the Efficacy of a Scalable Telephone-Delivered Guided Imagery Tobacco Cessation Treatment: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Tobacco use continues to be a leading preventable cause of death and disease in the United States, accounting for >480,000 deaths each year. Although treatments for tobacco use are effective for many, there is substantial variability in outcomes, and these approaches are not effective for all individuals seeking to quit smoking cigarettes. New, effective therapeutic approaches are needed to meet the preferences of people who want to stop smoking. Guided imagery (GI) is a mind-body technique that involves the guided visualization of specific mental images, which is enhanced with other sensory modalities and emotions. Preliminary evidence provides initial support for the use of GI as a treatment for cigarette smoking. Meta-analyses have shown that standard treatment for cigarette smoking delivered over the telephone via quitlines is effective. A telephone-based intervention that uses GI might provide another effective treatment option and increase the reach and effectiveness of quitlines. This study aims to test the efficacy of Be Smoke Free, a telephone-delivered GI treatment for smoking cessation. This multisite randomized clinical trial (RCT) will compare a novel telephone-delivered GI tobacco cessation treatment with a standard evidence-based behavioral treatment. The study will be conducted over 5 years. In phase 1, we refined protocols and procedures for the New York State and West Virginia sites for use in the RCT. During phase 2, we will conduct an RCT with 1200 participants: 600 (50%) recruited via quitlines and 600 (50%) recruited via population-based methods. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the GI condition or the behavioral condition; both treatments will be delivered by trained study coaches located at the University of Arizona. Assessments will be conducted at baseline and 3 and 6 months after enrollment by University of Arizona research staff. The primary outcome will be self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence 6 months after enrollment. Secondary outcomes include biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence 6 months after enrollment. Recruitment in West Virginia and New York began in October 2022. As of March 31, 2023, a total of 242 participants had been enrolled. Follow-up assessments began in November 2022. As of March 31, 2023, of the 118 eligible participants, 97 (82.2%) had completed the 3-month assessment, and 93% (26/28) of eligible participants had completed the 6-month assessment. Biochemical verification and qualitative interviews began in April 2023. Recruitment will continue through 2025 and follow-up assessments through 2026. Primary results are expected to be published in 2027. The Be Smoke Free study is a first-of-its-kind RCT that incorporates GI into telephone-based tobacco cessation treatment. If successful, Be Smoke Free will have substantial benefits for the long-term health of people who use tobacco across the United States. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05277831; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05277831. PRR1-10.2196/48898.

Tobacco-Related Disease, Health Beliefs, and Post-hospital Tobacco Abstinence

Most hospitalized patients who smoke resume after discharge. Associations of tobacco-related disease and health beliefs with post-hospitalization abstinence were examined. This was a cohort study using data from a 2018-2020 multicenter trial of hospitalized adults who smoked and wanted to quit. Tobacco-related disease was defined using primary discharge diagnosis codes. Baseline health beliefs included (1) smoking caused hospitalization, (2) quitting speeds recovery, and (3) quitting prevents future illness. Outcomes included self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence 1, 3, and 6 months after discharge. Separate logistic regression models for each of the three health beliefs were constructed. Models stratified by tobacco-related disease explored effect modification. Analysis was performed in 2022-2023. Of 1,406 participants (mean age 52 years, 56% females, 77% non-Hispanic White), 31% had tobacco-related disease, 42% believed that smoking caused hospitalization, 68% believed that quitting speeds recovery, and 82% believed that quitting prevents future illness. Tobacco-related disease was associated with higher 1-month point prevalence abstinence in each health belief model (AOR=1.55, 95% CI=1.15, 2.10; 1.53, 95% CI=1.14, 2.05; and 1.64, 95% CI=1.24, 2.19, respectively) and higher 6-month point prevalence abstinence in models including health beliefs 2 and 3. Quitting speeds recovery was the only belief associated with higher 1-month point prevalence abstinence (AOR=1.39, 95% CI=1.05, 1.85). Among patients with tobacco-related disease, the belief that quitting prevents future illness was associated with higher 1-month point prevalence abstinence (AOR=2.00, 95% CI=1.06, 3.78). Tobacco-related disease predicts abstinence 1 and 6 months after hospitalization independent of health beliefs. Beliefs that quitting speeds recovery and prevents future illness may serve as targets for smoking-cessation interventions.

Expanding population-level interventions to help more low-income smokers quit: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundLow-income Americans have higher rates of smoking and a greater burden of smoking-related disease. In the United States, smokers in every state can access evidence-based telephone counseling through free tobacco quitlines. However, quitlines target smokers who are ready to quit in the next 30 days, which can exclude many low-income smokers. A smoke-free homes intervention may help engage smokers in tobacco control services who are not yet ready to quit. Previous research in low-income populations suggests that receiving a smoke-free homes intervention is associated with higher quit rates. This study tests whether, at a population level, expanding on quitlines to include a smoke-free homes intervention for smokers not ready to quit could engage more low-income smokers and increase long-term cessation rates. MethodsIn a Hybrid Type 2 design, participants are recruited from 211 helplines in 9 states and randomly assigned to standard quitline or quitline plus smoke-free homes intervention arms. Participants in both arms are initially offered quitline services. In the quitline plus smoke-free homes condition, participants who decline the quitline are then offered a smoke-free homes intervention. Participants complete a baseline and follow-up surveys at 3 and 6 months. Those who have not yet quit at the 3-month follow-up are re-offered the interventions, which differ by study arm. The primary study outcome is self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence from smoking at 6-month follow-up. ConclusionThis real-world cessation trial involving 9 state tobacco quitlines will help inform whether offering smoke-free homes as an alternative intervention could engage more low-income smokers with evidence-based interventions and increase overall cessation rates.This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Study Identifier: NCT04311983).

Efficacy of smartphone applications to help cancer patients quit smoking: Protocol of the Quit2Heal randomized controlled trial

Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent among cancer patients in the United States (US), with up to half of cancer patients smoking at the time of their initial cancer diagnosis. However, evidence-based cessation programs are rarely implemented in oncology care, and smoking is not consistently treated in cancer treatment settings. Consequently, there is an urgent need for accessible and efficacious cessation treatments that are uniquely tailored to the needs of cancer patients. Here we describe the design and implementation of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing the efficacy of a smartphone app (Quit2Heal) versus a US Clinical Practice Guidelines-based app (QuitGuide) for smoking cessation among a planned sample of 422 cancer patients. Quit2Heal is designed to address cancer-related shame, stigma, depression, anxiety, and knowledge about the consequences of smoking/quitting. Quit2Heal is based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a behavioral therapy that teaches skills for accepting cravings to smoke without smoking, values-driven motivation to quit, and preventing relapse. The primary aim of the RCT is to determine whether Quit2Heal has significantly higher self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence at 12 months relative to QuitGuide. The trial will also determine whether Quit2Heal's effect on cessation is (1) mediated by improvements in cancer-related shame, stigma, depression, anxiety, and knowledge about the consequences of smoking/quitting; and (2) moderated by baseline factors (e.g., cancer type, stage, time since diagnosis). If successful, Quit2Heal will offer a more efficacious, broadly scalable smoking cessation treatment that could be implemented alongside existing oncology care, thereby improving cancer outcomes.

Efficacy of a Smoking Cessation Intervention for Survivors of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia or Cervical Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Women who smoke and have a history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cervical cancer represent a vulnerable subgroup at elevated risk for recurrence, poorer cancer treatment outcomes, and decreased quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of Motivation And Problem Solving (MAPS), a novel treatment well-suited to meeting the smoking cessation needs of this population. Women who were with a history of CIN or cervical cancer, age 18 years and older, spoke English or Spanish, and reported current smoking (≥100 lifetime cigarettes plus any smoking in the past 30 days) were eligible. Participants (N = 202) were recruited in clinic in Oklahoma City and online nationally and randomly assigned to (1) standard treatment (ST) or (2) MAPS. ST consisted of repeated referrals to a tobacco cessation quitline, self-help materials, and combination nicotine replacement therapy (patch plus lozenge). MAPS comprised all ST components plus up to six proactive telephone counseling sessions over 12 months. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations evaluated the intervention. The primary outcome was self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence from tobacco at 18 months, with abstinence at 3, 6, and 12 months and biochemically confirmed abstinence as secondary outcomes. There was no significant effect for MAPS over ST at 18 months (14.2% v 12.9%, P = .79). However, there was a significant condition × assessment interaction (P = .015). Follow-up analyses found that MAPS (v ST) abstinence rates were significantly greater at 12 months (26.4% v 11.9%, P = .017; estimated OR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.19 to 5.89). MAPS led to a greater than two-fold increase in smoking abstinence among survivors of CIN and cervical cancer at 12 months. At 18 months, abstinence in MAPS declined to match the control condition and the treatment effect was no longer significant.

Testing the Outcomes of a Smoking Cessation Smartphone App for Nondaily Smokers: Protocol for a Proof-of-concept Randomized Controlled Trial

Nondaily smoking is a widespread, increasingly prevalent pattern of smoking, particularly in ethnic minority and vulnerable populations. To date, no effective treatment approach for this type of smokers has been identified. This study aims to use a randomized controlled trial to evaluate proof-of-concept markers of the Smiling instead of Smoking (SiS) app, a smoking cessation smartphone app designed specifically for nondaily smokers. This app was developed iteratively and is now in its third version. Previous studies have demonstrated acceptability and feasibility when participants were onboarded in person (study 1) and remotely (study 2) and showed within-person changes in line with hypothesized mechanisms of change. This is the first randomized test of this app. In total, 225 adult nondaily smokers will be asked to undertake a quit attempt while using smoking cessation support materials for a period of 7 weeks. Participants will be randomized to use the SiS smartphone app, the National Cancer Institute smartphone app QuitGuide, or the National Cancer Institute smoking cessation brochure "Clearing the Air." Participants will take part in a 15-minute scripted onboarding phone call during which study staff will introduce participants to their support materials. Survey links will be sent 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the participants' initially chosen quit date. The primary outcome is self-efficacy to remain abstinent from smoking at treatment end, measured using the Smoking Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. Secondary outcomes cover several domains relevant to treatment development and implementation: treatment acceptability (eg, satisfaction with smoking cessation support, measured using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, and app usability, measured using the System Usability Scale); treatment feasibility (eg, measured using the number of days participants used the SiS or QuitGuide app during the prescribed treatment period); and, in an exploratory way, treatment efficacy assessed using self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence. Recruitment began in January 2021 and ended June 2022. The final 24-week follow-up was completed in January 2023. This trial is funded by the American Cancer Society. This study is designed to test whether the prescribed use of the SiS app results in greater self-efficacy to abstain from smoking in nondaily smokers than commonly recommended alternative treatments and whether the SiS app treatment is acceptable and feasible. Positive results will mean that the SiS app warrants testing in a large-scale randomized controlled trial to test its effectiveness in supporting smoking cessation in nondaily smokers. The design of this study also provides insights into issues pertinent to smoking cessation smartphone app treatment development and implementation by measuring, in a randomized design, markers of treatment satisfaction, engagement with the technology and content of the treatment, and adherence to the treatment plan. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04672239; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04672239. DERR1-10.2196/40867.

A WeChat mini-program-based approach to smoking cessation behavioral interventions: Development and preliminary evaluation in a single-arm trial.

This study sought to develop a WeChat mini-program for smoking cessation behavioral interventions (named the WQ mini-program) and evaluate its usability, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy among Chinese smokers. The WQ mini-program was designed based on behavioral change theories and clinical practice guidelines, and clinical smoking cessation experts participated in the development process. Fifty Chinese smokers and five software experts were involved in a single-arm trial. Smokers were asked to use the WQ mini-program at least once a day for 4 weeks and to complete a weekly online follow-up questionnaire. Software experts were asked to complete an online follow-up questionnaire after using all functions of the WQ mini-program. Primary outcomes were usability and acceptability of and satisfaction with the mini-program tested by the System Usability Scale (SUS) and the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). Self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) was used to evaluate its preliminary efficacy for smoking cessation. Optimization suggestions for the mini-program were collected from all participants through an open-ended question at the last follow-up and were analyzed by thematic analysis. The mean SUS and MARS total scores for the WQ mini-program as evaluated by smokers were 82.1 ± 13.8 and 84.5 ± 3.3 and by software experts were 4.21 ± 0.32 and 4.27 ± 0.15, respectively. Most smokers reported being willing to recommend this mini-program to other smokers (85.4%) and would continue to use it (95.8%). The mean satisfaction score for the mini-program was 4.23 ± 0.69 (out of 5 points) among smokers. Self-reported 7-day PPA among smokers at the 4-week follow-up was 50% (25/50). This study demonstrated that the WQ mini-program would be a feasible and potentially effective method to encourage Chinese smokers to quit smoking. However, future research is needed to confirm its efficacy through a randomized controlled trial.

Workplace cessation support is associated with more abstinence in a workplace program in Hong Kong: A mixed-methods study.

We examined the association of workplace smoking cessation (SC) support from employers, in addition to SC interventions, and smoking abstinence. Smoking employees (≥1 cigarette daily, aged ≥18 years) from companies of various industries joined a workplace SC program in Hong Kong. Self-reported past 7-day point prevalence abstinence was measured at follow-up at 6 months. We assessed 14 types of workplace SC support with higher scores (range: 0-14) indicating greater support. Multivariable logistic regression examined the prospective association between workplace SC support and smoking abstinence, adjusting for intention to quit, nicotine dependence, self-efficacy of quitting, and sociodemographic characteristics. Average marginal effects were calculated to test if the association between overall workplace SC support and self-reported past 7-day PPA at follow-up at 6 months was modified by subgroups. We also interviewed employers from different companies to explore their perspectives of providing workplace SC support, and the data were analyzed by thematic analysis. In 383 participants who received a heath talk, a self-help SC booklet, and 15 text messages, greater workplace SC support was associated with smoking abstinence (AOR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.08-1.61), including support for smoke-free environment (AOR=1.51; 95% CI: 1.08-2.11) and for SC attempts/actions (AOR=1.93; 95% CI: 1.21-3.07). The association did not differ by sex, age, intention to quit, nicotine dependence, company size or company type. Qualitative interviews found that employers provided workplace SC support to establish a good company image, cost-benefit considerations were important to the types of workplace SC support provided, and lack of SC knowledge was a barrier to providing workplace SC support. Greater workplace SC support was associated with more abstinence in a workplace SC program.

Developing a Collaborative, Team-Based Smoking Cessation Treatment Program in an Outpatient Oncology Setting.

Because clinical specialists often lack time and training to address secondary health issues such as smoking cessation, the National Cancer Institute Cancer Center Cessation Initiative (C3I) has mobilized cancer centers to develop systems for treating patients' tobacco dependence. One university-based cancer center was able to develop a program that formalized smoking treatment using a collaborative, multidisciplinary care team with overlapping expertise in cancer care, medication management, and tobacco cessation. Program planners delivered tobacco cessation services in the outpatient setting by automating identification of eligible patients using a tobacco registry in the electronic health records, directly involving oncology pharmacists in medication oversight, using dedicated tobacco treatment specialists to provide cessation services, and engaging oncologists through active communications protocols. Evaluators used Practical Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model as the guiding framework for a qualitative assessment of program development and implementation. Evaluators also measured provider satisfaction and utilization of services, program reach, and smoking cessation outcomes 6 months post enrollment. During the evaluation period (July 1, 2018-September 30, 2019), the smoking cessation program engaged 96% of eligible patients (n = 214 of 223 eligible); 82% of those enrolled in the program (n = 183). At 6-month follow-up, 29.1% of enrolled patients self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence (n = 53) and 34.9% (n = 64) reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence (intent-to-treat rates). Using a team-based approach that leverages individual expertise and interprofessional collaboration to provide patient-centered treatment, a smoking cessation program can identify and treat eligible patients in specialty clinics.

Tailored text message and web intervention for smoking cessation in U.S. socioeconomically-disadvantaged young adults: A randomized controlled trial

The prevalence of cigarette smoking in young adults is higher among those with socioeconomic disadvantage than those without. Low treatment-seeking among young adult smokers is compounded by few efficacious smoking cessation interventions for this group, particularly socioeconomically-disadvantaged young adults (SDYA) who smoke cigarettes. The goal of this study was to test a tailored smoking-cessation intervention for SDYA. 343 SDYA aged 18–30 living in the U.S. (85% female) who smoke cigarettes with access to a smartphone and interest in quitting smoking in the next six months were recruited online in Spring 2020 and randomized to referral to online quit resources (usual care control; n = 171) or a 12-week tailored text message smoking-cessation program with a companion web-based intervention (n = 172). Intent to treat analyses examined associations between study condition, self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA), and confidence to quit smoking at 12 weeks, controlling for potential confounders. Intervention group participants had greater self-reported 30-day PPA at 12-weeks than controls (adjusted relative risk 3.93, 95% CI 2.14–7.24). Among those who continued smoking, the intervention increased confidence to quit (0.81 points, 95% confidence interval 0.08–1.53). Weekly engagement in the intervention predicted greater cessation. A tailored text message intervention for SDYA increased smoking abstinence and confidence to quit at the end-of-treatment. Findings may have been influenced by recruitment at the start of the COVID pandemic but suggest that text messaging is an acceptable and efficacious cessation strategy for SDYA smokers. Future studies should examine the impact on longer-term smoking-cessation and importance of intervention tailoring for SDYA.

Feature-Level Analysis of a Smoking Cessation Smartphone App Based on a Positive Psychology Approach: Prospective Observational Study.

BackgroundSmoking cessation smartphone apps have emerged as highly accessible tools to support smoking cessation efforts. It is unknown how specific app features contribute to user engagement over time and relate to smoking outcomes.ObjectiveTo provide a feature-level analysis of the Smiling Instead of Smoking app (version 2) and to link feature use to subsequent smoking cessation.MethodsNondaily smokers (N=100) used the app for a period of 49 days (1 week before quitting and 6 weeks after quitting). Participants self-reported 30-day point-prevalence abstinence at the end of this period and at a 6-month follow up (the survey response rate was 94% and 89% at these points, respectively). Self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence rates were 40% at the end of treatment and 56% at the 6-month follow up. The app engaged users in both positive psychology content and traditional behavioral smoking cessation content. The app sent push notifications to prompt participants to complete prescribed content (ie, a “happiness exercise” every day and a “behavioral challenge” to use the app’s smoking cessation tools on 15 out of 49 days). Actions that participants took within the app were timestamped and recorded.ResultsParticipants used the app on 24.7 (SD 13.8) days out of the 49 prescribed days, interacting with the happiness content on more days than the smoking content (23.8, SD 13.8 days vs 17.8, SD 10.3 days; t99=9.28 [2-tailed]; P<.001). The prescribed content was frequently completed (45% of happiness exercises; 57% of behavioral challenges) and ad libitum tools were used on ≤7 days. Most participants used each ad libitum smoking cessation tool at least once, with higher use of personalized content (≥92% used “strategies,” “cigarette log,” “smoke alarms,” and “personal reasons”) than purely didactic content (79% viewed “benefits of quitting smoking”). The number of days participants used the app significantly predicted 30-day point-prevalence abstinence at the end of treatment (odds ratio [OR] 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.09; P=.002) and at the 6-month follow up (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.008-1.07; P=.01). The number of days participants engaged with the happiness content significantly predicted smoking abstinence at the end of treatment (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.08; P=.002) and at the 6-month follow up (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.007-1.07; P=.02). This effect was not significant for the number of days participants engaged with the smoking cessation content of the app, either at the end of treatment (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.996-1.08, P=.08) or at the 6-month follow up (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.98-1.06; P=.29).ConclusionsGreater app usage predicted greater odds of self-reported 30-day point-prevalence abstinence at both the end of treatment and over the long term, suggesting that the app had a therapeutic benefit. Positive psychology content and prescriptive clarity may promote sustained app engagement over time.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03951766; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03951766

Correlates of the nicotine metabolite ratio in Alaska Native people who smoke cigarettes.

Research on nicotine metabolism has primarily focused on white adults. This study examined associations between nicotine metabolism, tobacco use, and demographic characteristics among Alaska Native adults who smoke cigarettes. Participants (N = 244) were Alaska Native adults who smoked and who provided a plasma sample at baseline (70.1%) or follow-up (29.9%) of a randomized controlled trial of a cardiovascular risk behavior intervention. At baseline, participants self-reported age, sex, Alaska Native heritage, cigarettes per day, time to first cigarette upon wakening, menthol use, perceived difficulty staying quit, tobacco withdrawal symptoms, and past-month tobacco product use, binge drinking, and cannabis use. At 3-, 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-ups, participants self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence from smoking. Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Participants' nicotine metabolite ratio (NMR), calculated as the ratio of plasma cotinine and trans-3' hydroxycotinine, was log-transformed. The sample (52.0% male, age M = 47.0 years [SD = 13.8], 60.3% of Inupiaq heritage) averaged 12.5 cigarettes per day (SD = 10.5); 64.0% smoked within 30 min of wakening. NMR was not significantly associated with age, sex, Alaska Native heritage, BMI, cigarettes per day, time to first cigarette upon wakening, menthol use, perceived difficulty staying quit, past-month dual tobacco product use, withdrawal symptoms, past-month binge drinking, past-month cannabis use, or abstinence from smoking (all p-values > .050). Characteristics that relate to NMR in Alaska Native adults may differ from those typically identified among white adults. Specifically, results may suggest that Alaska Native adults with slower nicotine metabolism do not titrate their nicotine intake when smoking. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Effectiveness of a Motivational Smoking Reduction Strategy Across Socioeconomic Status and Stress Levels.

Smoking consequences are seen disproportionately among low-SES smokers. We examine the self-regulatory strategy of mental contrasting with implementation intentions (MCII) as a smoking reduction tool and whether its effectiveness depends on subjective-SES. This pre-registered online experiment comprised a pre-screening, baseline survey, and follow-up. Participants reported past-week smoking, subjective-SES, perceived stress, and were randomized to an active control (n = 161) or MCII condition (n = 164). Data were collected via MTurk, during the U.S.’ initial wave of COVID-19. Participants were moderate-to-heavy smokers open to reducing or quitting. The primary outcome was self-reported smoking reduction, computed as the difference between recent smoking at baseline and follow-up. The secondary outcome was cessation, operationalized as self-reported 7-day point-prevalence abstinence at follow-up. Among those low—but not high—in subjective-SES, MCII (vs. control) improved smoking reduction by an average of 1.09 fewer cigarettes smoked per day, though this effect was not conclusive (p = 0.11). Similarly, quitting was descriptively more likely for those in the MCII than control condition, but the effect was non-significant (p = 0.11). Per an exploratory analysis, we observed that stress significantly moderated the condition effect (p = 0.01), such that MCII (vs. control) facilitated reduction among those experiencing high (p = 0.03), but not low stress (p = 0.15). Consistent with prior findings that MCII works best in vulnerable populations, MCII may be more effective for smoking reduction among high-stress than low-stress individuals. These findings contribute to growing research on income-related health disparities and smoking behavior change tools.

Effect of a workplace mobile phone-based instant messaging intervention on smoking cessation: a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

To test the effectiveness of intractive, instant messaging chat-based mobile phone support versus text-based mobile phone support integrated with brief interventions on self-reported smoking abstinence in workplaces. A two-arm parallel cluster-randomized controlled trial with follow-up to 12 months. Seventy-five companies in Hong Kong, China. Daily cigarette adult smokers (92.0% male, 90.9% not ready to quit within the next 30 days) from 75 companies (clusters). Participants were cluster-randomized to receive text-based support (TBS, n = 375; 38 clusters) or chat-based support (CBS, n = 304; 37 clusters). TBS participants received automated and fix-scheduled text messages on cessation advice and support. CBS participants received fix-scheduled text messages and additional real-time psychosocial and cessation support via instant messaging services (e.g. WhatsApp) by counsellors. Both groups received a 1-hour health talk at baseline and brief telephone counselling at 1week and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome was self-reported 7-day point-prevalence abstinence at 6months post-treatment initiation. Secondary outcomes included 7-day point-prevalence abstinence at 12 months, repeated 7-day point-prevalence abstinence, smoking reduction, quit attempts and intervention engagement, defined as having read text messages and/or engaged in conversation with counsellors. By intention-to-treat assuming that dropouts were smoking, self-reported abstinence was not significantly different between the CBS and TBS groups at 6months [18.8 versus 21.6%, risk ratio (RR) = 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.61, 1.23, retention = 71.3%] and 12 months (21.4 versus 24.0%, RR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.66, 1.21, retention = 70.8%). The repeated 7-day point-prevalence abstinence, smoking reduction and quit attempts were similar between the groups. The participants who were engaged in the text- and/or chat-based interventions had greater abstinence (adjusted RR = 2.91, 95% CI = 1.87, 4.52) at 6months compared with unengaged participants. Compared with a text messaging mobile phone intervention, a chat-based instant messaging mobile phone intervention did not improve smoking abstinence over 12 months in workplaces. Engagement in text-based or chat-based interventions was associated with higher quit rates compared with non-engagement.

A Smoking Cessation App for Nondaily Smokers (Version 2 of the Smiling Instead of Smoking App): Acceptability and Feasibility Study.

BackgroundRecent evidence highlights the significant detrimental impact of nondaily smoking on health and its disproportionate prevalence in underserved populations; however, little work has been done to develop treatments specifically geared toward quitting nondaily smoking.ObjectiveThis study aims to test the feasibility, acceptability, and conceptual underpinnings of version 2 of the Smiling Instead of Smoking (SiS2) smartphone app, which was developed specifically for nondaily smokers and uses a positive psychology approach.MethodsIn a prospective, single-group study, nondaily smokers (N=100) were prescribed use of the SiS2 app for 7 weeks while undergoing a quit attempt. The app assigned daily positive psychology exercises and behavioral tasks every 2 to 3 days, which guided smokers through using the smoking cessation tools offered in the app. Participants answered surveys at baseline and at 2, 6, 12, and 24 weeks postquit. Feasibility was evaluated based on app use and acceptability based on survey responses. The underlying conceptual framework was tested by examining whether theorized within-person changes occurred from baseline to end of treatment on scales measuring self-efficacy, desire to smoke, and processing of self-relevant health information (ie, pros and cons of smoking, importance of the pros and cons of quitting, and motivation).ResultsParticipants used the SiS2 app on an average of 24.7 (SD 13.8) days out of the 49 prescribed days. At the end of treatment, most participants rated the functions of the app as very easy to use (eg, 70/95, 74% regarding cigarette log and 59/95, 62% regarding happiness exercises). The average score on the System Usability Scale was 79.8 (SD 17.3; A grade; A+ ≥84.1, B+ <78.8). Most participants reported that the app helped them in their quit attempt (83/95, 87%), and helped them stay positive while quitting (78/95, 82%). Large effects were found for within-person decreases in the desire to smoke (b=−1.5, 95% CI −1.9 to −1.1; P<.001; gav=1.01), the importance of the pros of smoking (b=-20.7, 95% CI −27.2 to −14.3; P<.001; gav=0.83), and perceived psychoactive benefits of smoking (b=−0.8, 95% CI −1.0 to −0.5; P<.001; gav=0.80). Medium effects were found for increases in self-efficacy for remaining abstinent when encountering internal (b=13.1, 95% CI 7.6 to 18.7; P<.001; gav=0.53) and external (b=11.2, 95% CI 6.1 to 16.1; P<.001; gav=0.49) smoking cues. Smaller effects, contrary to expectations, were found for decreases in motivation to quit smoking (P=.005) and the perceived importance of the pros of quitting (P=.009). Self-reported 30-day point prevalence abstinence rates were 40%, 56%, and 56% at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the quit day, respectively.ConclusionsThe SiS2 app was feasible and acceptable, showed promising changes in constructs relevant to smoking cessation, and had high self-reported quit rates by nondaily smokers. The SiS2 app warrants testing in a randomized controlled trial.