Mobile program to help young adults stop or cut down e-cigarette use
Development of a Mobile Health Intervention for Electronic Cigarette Use Among Young Adults
NA · University of Chicago · NCT06395415
This project will try a smartphone program to help 18-26-year-olds who use e-cigarettes or both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes quit or cut down.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 46 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 26 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Chicago (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Chicago, Illinois) |
| Trial ID | NCT06395415 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot interventional study develops and pilots an mHealth intervention that translates proven smoking-cessation content and medication guidance for young adult ENDS users, including dual users. Participants will be recruited at the University of Chicago and randomized to the EQUIP mobile program or to standard care, with enrollment focused on 18-26-year-olds who use ENDS frequently and want to quit or reduce. The protocol combines digital behavior-change tools, user feedback from focus groups, and optional pharmacotherapy information to refine the intervention. Primary outcomes will include feasibility, engagement, and preliminary changes in ENDS use.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are 18-26-year-olds who use ENDS at least 4 days per week over the past month, report moderate-to-high interest in quitting or reducing (≥6/10), are not pregnant or breastfeeding, and do not have recent severe psychiatric or substance use disorders.
Not a fit: Those unlikely to benefit include pregnant or breastfeeding people, individuals with recent major psychiatric or severe substance use disorders, people already using smoking-cessation medications, older adults, or those not interested in quitting ENDS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase quit or reduction rates and provide scalable, tailored support and medication guidance for young adult ENDS users.
How similar studies have performed: Mobile cessation programs and pharmacotherapy have shown moderate success for combustible cigarette smokers, but rigorous trials specifically targeting ENDS or dual users—particularly young adults—are limited, so this is a relatively novel application.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18-26 years old, ability to understand the English language, willing and able to provide informed consent 2. Current ENDS user (at least 4 out of 7 days per week of use for the past one month); for focus groups, at least half of participants will report current cigarette smoking (at least 1 cigarette per day on at least 1 day per week in the past month) 3. Report interest in quitting or reducing ENDS (at least 6/10 scale in interest of quitting or reducing 4. Does not currently (in past one year) meet criteria for major psychiatric disorder including severe alcohol or substance use disorder (excluding tobacco use disorder), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder 5. For women, not currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding due to lack of information on ENDS use and possible harms from NRT during pregnancy 6. Not currently using smoking cessation medication (i.e., Varenicline, Bupropion 7. No history of adverse reactions to nicotine replacement therapy Exclusion Criteria: 1. Does not own a mobile phone or is unwilling to receive text messages to their device 2. No interest in quitting or reducing use of ENDS 3. Uses electronic cigarettes less than 4 days per week in the past month 4. Reports past-year serious psychiatric illness, including severe alcohol or substance use disorder (excluding tobacco use disorder), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder 5. Is currently using smoking cessation medication including Varenicline or Bupropion 6. Are a female who is currently pregnant or nursing or planning to become pregnant within the next 6 months
Where this trial is running
Chicago, Illinois
- University of Chicago BREATHE Laboratory — Chicago, Illinois, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Emma Brett, PhD
- Email: ebrett@bsd.uchicago.edu
- Phone: 773-834-5341
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.
Conditions: Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Tobacco Products, Cigarette Smoking