Mobile app program to help young adults quit tobacco
Project 5: Development and pilot evaluation of a novel mobile health intervention for young adult tobacco cessation
A new app-based program aims to help young adults (ages 18–30) stop using nicotine and commercial tobacco products.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11174526 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would use a smartphone program called Living Free from Tobacco (LiFT) that was adapted from an avatar-led digital therapy called Flexiquit. The app uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) content tailored for young adults and tracks how often you log in and engage. In a small pilot, about 120 participants will be randomly assigned to the full LiFT program or to a reduced version that only has educational materials. Researchers will check self-report and biochemical tests to see who is tobacco-free and will look at satisfaction, usage, and psychological changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Young adults aged 18–30 who currently use nicotine or commercial tobacco products and are willing to try a smartphone-based quitting program are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People younger than 18 or older than 30, those without smartphone/internet access, or those needing intensive medical or inpatient treatment for severe dependence may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could give young adults an easy, tailored digital way to increase quitting success without needing in-person counseling.
How similar studies have performed: The team previously developed the avatar-led Flexiquit program and digital ACT approaches have shown promise, but this youth-tailored LiFT program is newly adapted and is being tested in a pilot trial.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heffner, Jaimee — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Heffner, Jaimee
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.