Mobile app to support smokers who are unsure about quitting
Official title: Evaluation of a Novel mHealth Intervention for People Who Are Ambivalent About Quitting Smoking: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Funded at Kaiser Foundation Research Institute · NIH-11169778 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A phone app offering short, guided exercises and links to quitting support for adult smokers who are unsure about quitting.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kaiser Foundation Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oakland, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $607,204 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA293229-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11169778 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) who currently smoke and feel ambivalent about quitting—meaning they are not actively seeking formal quit treatment—would be the ideal participants.
✕Less likely to help
People without access to a smartphone, those already actively pursuing intensive quit programs, or those under 21 are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
If you smoke but aren’t ready to quit, you would be asked to try an app called GEMS that delivers short, self-guided exercises tailored for people ambivalent about quitting. Participants are randomly assigned to receive the GEMS app or a comparison condition and are followed over time to track smoking behavior and engagement. The app is designed to be low-cost and scalable, with content meant to increase motivation and connect users to counseling or medications when they decide they are ready. Researchers will use regular follow-up contacts to measure abstinence and other outcomes during the multi-year trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could help smokers who aren’t ready to quit become more motivated and eventually stop using a low-cost, widely available tool.
How similar studies have gone: Other smartphone-based smoking-cessation programs have shown modest success, but approaches specifically targeting ambivalent smokers are newer and less proven.
Where this research is happening
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Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
Oakland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcclure, Jennifer B — Kaiser Foundation Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Mcclure, Jennifer B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Novel mobile tool to help people ambivalent about quitting smoking
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Helping people who are unsure about quitting smoking through a mobile app
This study is testing a friendly mobile app called GEMS that helps adults who are unsure about quitting smoking by offering fun exercises and support to think about quitting when they're ready.
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A digital app to help American Indians and Alaska Natives quit smoking
This study is testing a smartphone app that helps American Indians and Alaska Natives quit smoking by offering support and resources based on proven techniques, and it's designed to make it easier for them to overcome challenges in stopping smoking.
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.