Helping teens quit vaping using a smartphone app and therapy.
Official title: Vaping Cessation among youth: Evaluating the feasibility and efficacy of a virtual in-person CBT and an app-based CBT4CBT
Funded at Yale University · NIH-10951361 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a friendly smartphone app called Kick-Nic!© to help teens who want to stop vaping by using helpful tips and support, along with regular check-ins, to manage their cravings and triggers.
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 start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,003,164 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA285216-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951361 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12 to 20 who regularly use e-cigarettes and are motivated to quit.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use e-cigarettes or are not interested in quitting may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing a smartphone app called Kick-Nic!© designed specifically for adolescents who want to quit vaping. The app employs cognitive-behavioral therapy techniques to help users manage cravings and triggers associated with e-cigarette use. Participants will engage in a randomized controlled trial, where they will receive support through the app along with weekly in-person check-ins and text message reminders. The goal is to evaluate the app's effectiveness in helping teens reduce or eliminate their e-cigarette use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide an effective tool for adolescents to quit vaping, improving their overall health and well-being.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with digital interventions for smoking cessation, indicating potential for this novel approach targeting adolescent vaping.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra
Related research
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Vaping cessation for teens using Kick-Nic! and a CBT app
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Parents Helping Parents: A Two-Arm Trial to Help Teens Quit Vaping
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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.
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Motivation-based teen vaping profile to guide quitting help
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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.