The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Among adults smokers, young adults have the highest level of interest in quitting smoking. Yet, few smoking cessation programs exist for this sub-group. The High-Five Smoking Cessation Study tested the efficacy and acceptability of an email-based smoking cessation program aimed at young adults.

Methods: Participants were randomized to receive either a young adult program or a standard program. The young adult program consisted of one in-person counseling session, a self-help smoking cessation kit, and a series of counseling emails (X-Pack group, N=49). The standard program consisted of one in-person counseling session and a self-help guide on quitting smoking (Clearing the Air group, N=34). Participants were assessed at baseline and 2-months post-enrollment.

Results: The quit rate was 37% for the X-Pack group and 23 % for the Clearing the Air group, based on 7 day point prevalence of smoking at 2 months (ns). The X-Pack group was found to be more likely to quit for 30 days or more (p<0.05), quit for more consecutive days quit (19.87 vs. 12.13, p<0.05), and was more likely to make at least one quit attempt (p<0.05). The X-Pack group was also found to be more likely to recommend the smoking cessation program to a friend (p<0.05) and to state that they liked the smoking cessation program (p<0.05). These results support the view that a program targeted to young adults which includes email and a self-help kit may be more effective for smoking cessation in young adults than a generic program.