Creating a smartphone app to help young adults reduce nicotine vaping
Official title: Developing a smartphone-based intervention targeting high-risk situations of nicotine vaping among young adults
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11036293 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a helpful smartphone app for young adults aged 18-25 who want to cut down on e-cigarette use, offering personalized tips and support based on their vaping habits.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $196,884 |
| NIH project number | 5K01DA056693-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11036293 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young adults aged 18-25 who currently use e-cigarettes and are looking to reduce or quit their vaping habits.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use e-cigarettes or are outside the age range of 18-25 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a smartphone-based intervention specifically designed to help young adults aged 18-25 reduce their use of e-cigarettes. The approach combines mobile health technology with clinical treatment strategies to address nicotine vaping in high-risk situations. The project will utilize machine learning to analyze data collected through the app, allowing for personalized support and interventions. Participants will engage with the app to track their vaping habits and receive tailored feedback and resources.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce nicotine vaping among young adults, leading to improved health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using mobile health interventions for smoking cessation, indicating a promising approach for this target population.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nguyen, Nhung — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Nguyen, Nhung
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Flavor rules and youth smoking/vaping: what happens when flavors are restricted
A nationwide study will look at how banning or limiting flavored tobacco products affects how often adults and youth smoke or vape.
-
Vaping cessation for teens using Kick-Nic! and a CBT app
A Youth-focused program tests a CBT-based smartphone app and a virtual in-person CBT to help teens quit vaping.
-
Social media groups help teens quit vaping
A teen-focused program on Instagram direct message groups aims to help adolescents stop using e-cigarettes.
-
Parents Helping Parents: A Two-Arm Trial to Help Teens Quit Vaping
A two-arm trial tests a parent-supported approach to help youths aged 15–18 quit vaping.
-
How vaping prevention ads affect teens and young adults
A nationwide project looks at which vaping-prevention video ads work best for teens and young adults and how they might reduce vaping when shown online.
-
Motivation-based teen vaping profile to guide quitting help
Aims to understand why adolescents vape and use that knowledge to tailor stopping tools that fit teens.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.