Using smartphone messages to help young adults quit smoking

Testing the Impact of Smartphone-based Messaging to Support Young Adult Smoking Cessation

NA · Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health · NCT05836103

This study is testing if smartphone messages based on therapy techniques can help young adults quit smoking by reducing their urges and changing their smoking habits.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment160 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 30 Years
SexAll
SponsorJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (other)
Locations1 site (Baltimore, Maryland)
Trial IDNCT05836103 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This research evaluates the effectiveness of smartphone-based messaging interventions based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness/acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to support smoking cessation among young adults. Participants will first track their smoking urges in real-time for 14 days, identifying high-risk situations for smoking. Following this, they will receive tailored messages triggered by their location for 30 days, aimed at reducing smoking urges and changing smoking behavior over time. The study compares the efficacy of CBT and ACT messages against control messages to assess their impact on smoking urges and behaviors.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are young adults aged 18 to 30 who smoke regularly and are planning to quit within the next month.

Not a fit: Patients who do not own a smartphone or are not planning to quit smoking may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide young adults with effective, real-time support to reduce smoking urges and improve cessation rates.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise in using technology-based interventions for smoking cessation, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. live in the U.S.
2. read English;
3. are between 18 and 30 years of age;
4. own an iPhone or Android smartphone;
5. have smoked ≥100 cigarettes in their lives and currently smoke at least 3 cigarettes per day on 5 or more days of the week;
6. are planning to quit smoking within the next 30 days.

Exclusion Criteria:

* None

Where this trial is running

Baltimore, Maryland

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: Tobacco Cigarette Smoking

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.