Online program to reduce vaping and future cigarette risk in young adults
Development of An Online, Theory-Based Intervention to Reduce E-cigarette Use and Susceptibility to Smoking in Young Adults: A Pilot Study
This study tests a brief 30-minute online program to help 18–24 year-olds who vape cut back on e-cigarette use and lower their chance of trying cigarettes over 8 weeks.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 24 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Southern California Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT06129123 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Researchers will randomize young adult e-cigarette users to either a 30-minute mobile-based intervention or an assessment-only control, with the control group offered access after the final survey. All participants complete online surveys at baseline and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks to measure past 7-day vaping frequency and susceptibility to smoking. The trial compares changes in vaping behavior and smoking susceptibility between groups over an 8-week period. The primary goal of this pilot is to determine whether the brief online intervention produces greater short-term reductions than control.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are English-speaking 18–24 year-olds who currently vape at least one day per week, have no history of cigarette use, and are not receiving nicotine cessation services.
Not a fit: People with a history of cigarette use, severe mental health or substance use disorders, those currently receiving nicotine cessation treatment, non-English speakers, or those outside the eligible age range are unlikely to qualify or benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help young adults reduce how much they vape and decrease their risk of starting to smoke cigarettes.
How similar studies have performed: Brief digital interventions for tobacco use have shown modest success, but online programs specifically targeting young adult e-cigarette use remain relatively novel with limited prior evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * be between the ages of 18 to 24 * be able to read English * report vaping at least one day per week in the past month * report no history of cigarette use at screening and baseline. Exclusion Criteria: * reporting severe mental health, illicit drug use, or alcohol use disorder * currently receiving nicotine cessation services
Where this trial is running
Los Angeles, California
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Denise D Tran, PhD — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: I-Wen Contracts and Grants Coordinator
- Email: i-wen.lai@med.usc.edu
- Phone: 310-918-0538
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.