mHealth program for smokers who are unsure about quitting

Evaluation of a Novel mHealth Intervention for People Who Are Ambivalent About Quitting Smoking: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · Kaiser Permanente · NCT07459621

This study will test two smartphone stop-smoking apps—one standard version and one with extra content for people not ready to quit—to see which better helps adults who are ambivalent about quitting smoking.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment800 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKaiser Permanente (other)
Locations1 site (Portland, Oregon)
Trial IDNCT07459621 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults who smoke but are not ready to quit will be randomly assigned to one of two app-based interventions, both of which provide best-practice quitting advice and links to public stop-smoking resources. The experimental app adds tailored content designed to engage people who feel ambivalent about quitting. Outcomes include requests for additional stop-smoking resources, app engagement metrics, self-reported changes in smoking behavior, and smoking abstinence at six months. The study is conducted through the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research with remote app delivery and follow-up communications.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (18+) who currently smoke at least half a pack per day, are ambivalent about quitting, are not actively using cessation treatment, own and regularly use a smartphone, agree to install the app and receive study communications, and meet the study's geolocation requirements.

Not a fit: People who are already actively using cessation treatments, lack a compatible smartphone or adaptive visual devices, have contraindications to over-the-counter NRT, or have a history of dementia or psychosis are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the experimental app could better engage ambivalent smokers and increase their use of stop-smoking resources and chances of achieving abstinence.

How similar studies have performed: Previous mHealth and app-based smoking cessation studies have shown mixed but promising results for increasing quit attempts and engagement, while content specifically targeted to ambivalent smokers is less well tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years of age and older
* Current cigarette smoker who is ambivalent about smoking
* Not actively using any treatment to quit smoking
* Own and regularly use a smartphone
* State willingness to install and use their assigned app
* Willingness to receive study communications
* Smoke at least half a pack a day
* Meet geolocation requirements

Exclusion Criteria:

* A lifetime history of dementia or psychosis
* Visual impairments that prevent viewing phone content and they lack adaptive devices
* Report medical contra-indications for over-the-counter NRT use
* Due to the potential for bias introduced by fraudulent participants, other exclusions will be applied to deter fraudulent enrollment.

Where this trial is running

Portland, Oregon

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Smoking Behaviors, Smoking, mHealth, motivation, ambivalent smokers

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.