Help for teens to quit vaping with a smartphone app or virtual counseling
Vaping Cessation among youth: Evaluating the feasibility and efficacy of a virtual in-person CBT and an app-based CBT4CBT
This project compares a teen-focused quitting app called Kick‑Nic! with weekly virtual or in-person CBT to help 12–20-year-olds stop using e-cigarettes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177758 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join through a participating high school and either use the Kick‑Nic! smartphone app or take part in weekly virtual/in-person cognitive-behavioral sessions. The randomized trial plans to enroll about 306 teens who vape at least one day per week and uses text reminders and regular check-ins to keep you engaged. The app includes videos, interactive exercises, and coping skills built with input from other adolescents, and earlier small pilots showed high usability and retention. The study will track your vaping using surveys and biochemical measures to see who achieves abstinence.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 12–20 who currently use e-cigarettes at least one day per week and attend a participating high school.
Not a fit: This project is not designed for non-vapers, adults, or teens without smartphone access or those needing intensive medical treatment for severe nicotine dependence.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give teens an easy-to-use app and support option to help them quit vaping.
How similar studies have performed: Some adult smoking cessation apps and CBT programs have shown promise, but large-scale, adolescent-focused app interventions for e-cigarette quitting are relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra
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 below.