Engaging and supporting young adults in smoking cessation: Insights from a mobile-based cessation program in China
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: Evidence-based smoking cessation treatments are underutilized by young adult smokers. This study explored young smokers' experiences with a mobile-based smoking cessation program that included a Quit & Win contest at a university in Zhuhai, China, aiming to identify key engagement and cessation mechanisms. Methods: Twenty participants (aged 18-25 years) were selected through purposive sampling. Semistructured interviews explored participants' experiences, motivations, and perceptions of the intervention. Thematic analysis was used to identify major themes from interview transcripts. Findings: Two main themes emerged: (1) strategies for enhancing program engagement, including the influence of campus-wide smoke-free environments, the appeal of the Quit & Win contest, and the use of peer counselors for recruitment; and (2) strategies for supporting smoking cessation, emphasizing the importance of a multifaceted approach. This approach included financial incentives as a motivator for quitting, sustaining cessation efforts with online group support, and building a therapeutic alliance with cessation counselors. Conclusion: Mobile-based interventions, combined with peer support, financial incentives, and campus-wide smoke-free activities, can effectively engage young adults in smoking cessation. Future interventions should implement comprehensive programs that incorporate these elements to address the unique challenges faced by this population.
Source: Digital Health
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,000
Awards: G7331410722, G8272663713
OpenAlex ID: W4406129587