Social media groups help teens quit vaping
Official title: Social media support groups for adolescent vaping cessation
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11412591 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A teen-focused program on Instagram direct message groups aims to help adolescents stop using e-cigarettes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 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 | September 9, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,029,863 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA292971-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412591 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Teens and young adults around ages 13–21 who use e-cigarettes and are willing to participate in a social media-based cessation program.
✕Less likely to help
Teens who are not using Instagram or who prefer in-person support may not experience the intended benefits.
What this research studies
This project uses private Instagram DM groups called Quit the Hit, created with input from teens, to provide evidence-based support for quitting vaping. It builds on a randomized trial and focuses on mid-to-late teens aged around 13–21, delivering structured cessation help through a familiar social media channel. The aim is to provide scalable, engaging guidance that fits into teens' daily digital lives while keeping privacy and safety in mind, with outcomes measured by abstinence at the end of the program and follow-up periods. If successful, it could offer a practical, widely accessible way for teens to stop vaping and reduce related health risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, teens who use e-cigarettes could quit more easily and reduce risks of asthma and cardiovascular issues associated with vaping.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown promise for social-media–based cessation approaches, with this project extending to adolescent vaping and randomized evaluation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ling, Pamela May — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Ling, Pamela May
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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.