Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jan 11, 2021
Date Accepted: Apr 13, 2021
Tailored Information about E-Cigarettes in a Web-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
There is an ongoing debate whether or not electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) should be advocated for smoking cessation. Because of this uncertainty, information about the use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation is usually not provided in governmental smoking cessation communications. However, there is an information need among smokers, because – despite this uncertainty – e-cigarettes are used by many smokers to reduce and/or quit tobacco smoking.
Objective:
To describe the study protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to assess the effect of providing tailored information about e-cigarettes compared to not providing this information on determinants of decision-making and smoking reduction and abstinence. This information is provided in the context of a digital smoking cessation intervention.
Methods:
An RCT with a 6-month follow-up period will be conducted among adult smokers motivated to quit smoking within 5 years. Participants will be 1:1 randomized into either the intervention condition or control condition. Grounded on the I-Change Model, participants in both conditions will receive tailored feedback on attitude, social influence, preparatory plans, self-efficacy, and coping plans. Information on six clusters of smoking cessation methods will be provided in both conditions. Smokers in the intervention condition will also receive detailed tailored information on e-cigarettes; smokers in the control condition will not receive this information. The primary outcome measure will be the number of tobacco cigarettes smoked in the past 7 days. Secondary outcome measures will include 7-day point prevalence tobacco abstinence, 7-day point prevalence e-cigarette abstinence, and determinants of decision-making (i.e., knowledge and attitude regarding e-cigarettes). All outcomes will be self-assessed through web-based questionnaires.
Results:
Recruitment began in March 2020 and was completed by July 2020. We expect to publish the results in March 2021.
Conclusions:
The experimental design of the study allows conclusions to be formed regarding the effects of tailored information about e-cigarettes on decision-making and smoking behavior. The findings can inform the development of future smoking cessation interventions. Clinical Trial: Dutch Trial Register, Trial NL8330 (https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8330)
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