Graphic health warnings plus pharmacist counseling to help people quit smoking
Health Warnings and Counseling at Primary Health Care Centers for Smoking Cessation and NCD Prevention: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Bangladesh and Pakistan
This project will test whether combining graphic health warnings with pharmacist-led counseling helps adult smokers in Bangladesh and Pakistan quit.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 3400 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 90 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hitotsubashi University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Dhaka) |
| Trial ID | NCT07098065 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a cluster randomized trial enrolling adult smokers through community pharmacies in Bangladesh (about 3,240 participants) and a smaller feasibility sample in Pakistan (~160 participants). Pharmacies are randomized to provide graphic health warnings alone, graphic health warnings plus personalized pharmacist-led counseling, or routine pharmacy services with no additional intervention. The trial will measure smoking cessation outcomes and collect data to model cost-effectiveness and implementation feasibility in primary-care pharmacy settings. Participants must be adult regular pharmacy visitors, able to use a mobile phone or tablet, and be permanent residents of the study area.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults (≥18 years) who currently smoke, regularly visit participating pharmacies, can operate a smartphone or tablet, and live in the study area.
Not a fit: People who are pregnant or lactating, have severe cognitive/psychiatric or medical conditions, do not visit the participating pharmacies, or cannot use a mobile phone are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could raise quit rates by combining motivating graphic warnings with accessible, personalized counseling at community pharmacies.
How similar studies have performed: Graphic health warnings and pharmacist counseling have each shown positive effects on quitting in prior research, but combining them in a cluster RCT at community pharmacies is a relatively novel approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 and older * Adults (≥18 years) who are current smokers (daily or occasional) and regular visitors to participating pharmacies. * Permanent resident of the study area, * Access to mobile phone * Able to operate smartphone or tablet. Exclusion Criteria: * Without pregnancy and lactation * Without cognitive or psychiatric conditions, * Without severe medical conditions, * Participation in other studies, and inability to consent.
Where this trial is running
Dhaka
- Global Public Health Research Foundation — Dhaka, Bangladesh (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Md. Mizanur Rahman — Hitotsubashi University
- Study coordinator: Md. Mizanur Rahman, PhD
- Email: mizanurrub78@gmail.com
- Phone: +818035463610
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.