Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Sep 19, 2022
Open Peer Review Period: Sep 17, 2022 - Sep 27, 2022
Date Accepted: Feb 26, 2023
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Usefulness of the smartphone app-based smoking cessation program for conventional cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and dual use: A retrospective study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are widespread in Japan, and smoking cessation of such products has become an important issue owing to dissemination of the harmful effects of HTPs. The efficacy of online digital therapy has been reported in smoking cessation treatment; however, we have limited evidence of online smoking cessation programs for HTP users.
Objective:
In this study, we evaluate the usefulness of the “ascure” program for people using HTPs (exclusive HTP use or dual use of HTP and cigarettes) compared with exclusive cigarette users.
Methods:
This was a retrospective study. We recruited adult smokers participating in the ascure online smoking cessation program in Japan from June 2019 to February 2021. The primary outcome was the chemically validated continuous abstinence rate (CAR) at weeks 21–24 using salivary cotinine testing. We also assessed CAR 9–12 and program adherence.
Results:
We analyzed data from 2952 participants (52% for cigarette group, 35% for HTP group, and 13% for dual-use group), the mean age was 43.4 ± 10.8 years, and 17% were women. Exclusive HTP users were more likely to stop tobacco use than exclusive cigarette smokers in CAR 21–24 (52.6% for cigarettes vs. 64.8% for HTP; OR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.12–1.22; p < .001).
Conclusions:
Exclusive HTP users had higher CARs and adherence compared with exclusive cigarette users, indicating a higher affinity for the ascure online smoking cessation program. This program might be a useful smoking cessation option for HTP users as well as cigarette smokers.
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