Social Media Support for Vaping
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial tests a social media program designed to help young people quit vaping. Participants will join Instagram support groups to receive daily posts and advice on quitting, including information on nicotine replacement therapy. The trial seeks teens and young adults who vape at least once a week, frequently use social media, and are interested in quitting within the next six months. Eligible participants should live in California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, or South Carolina. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could shape future vaping cessation programs.
Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What prior data suggests that this social media intervention is safe for adolescents and young adults?
Research has shown that using social media to help people quit vaping has been studied in several cases. These studies examine how platforms like Instagram can support teens and young adults in their efforts to stop vaping.
One study found that social media programs can provide educational content and encourage young people to quit vaping. Participants receive advice and motivation through posts and support from peers, which helps them manage cravings and reduce nicotine use.
While specific information on negative effects from these programs is lacking, they are mainly educational and supportive, making them generally easy to handle. Unlike traditional clinical trials, these programs don't involve medication or medical procedures, which usually carry more risks.
Since this trial is in the early stages, it focuses on the program's practicality and acceptability, with safety as a key concern. The risks are low compared to trials involving drugs or surgeries.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the social media intervention for vaping cessation because it leverages a unique approach by utilizing Instagram to create supportive communities, which is quite different from traditional methods like nicotine replacement therapies or counseling. This treatment empowers participants by training them to become coaches, allowing them to facilitate peer support groups that provide educational content and social encouragement. Additionally, the integration of social media as a delivery method enables real-time interaction and support, potentially increasing engagement and accessibility for individuals looking to quit vaping.
What evidence suggests that this social media intervention is effective for vaping cessation?
Research has shown that social media support can help young people stop vaping. One study found that teens using a special text message program were 35% more likely to quit vaping nicotine. Online tools, such as social media, work as effectively as in-person meetings or phone calls for quitting smoking. These tools are easy to access and provide support and advice, making them a practical choice for young people. In this trial, participants will engage with the Quit the Hit Toolkit through Instagram groups, which offer educational and social support to help users understand their nicotine addiction and find ways to quit.12367
Who Is on the Research Team?
Pamela M Ling, MD, MPH
Principal Investigator
University of California, San Francisco
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for people ages 13-21 who live in California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, or South Carolina, use social media at least 4 days a week, have vaped at least once per week recently, can read English, have access to a phone or computer with a camera, and are thinking about quitting vaping soon.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Training
Coaches receive training on the Quit the Hit Toolkit to implement the vaping intervention
Vaping Cessation Groups
Participants engage in social media-based vaping cessation groups facilitated by trained coaches
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for engagement and feedback through interviews or focus groups
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Social Media Intervention
Trial Overview
The study is testing an online support program called the Quit the Hit Toolkit. It uses social media groups to help teens and young adults quit nicotine vaping. The focus is on seeing if this approach works well and if participants like it.
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Individuals will receive training on how to implement the vaping intervention (Quit the Hit Toolkit) in their own community settings. These individuals will serve as coaches and will recruit and facilitate vaping support groups on Instagram, where group participants will receive up to 3 Instagram posts per day for 30 days. Group coaches will work with a Cessation Counselor, Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators and a Pediatrician on demand if additional expertise or clinical advice is needed. Group participants will be educated about signs of nicotine dependence and if they express interest in pharmacotherapy will be encouraged to access this through their personal healthcare providers. The Instagram groups will provide educational and social support, troubleshooting and advice about nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or other forms of treatment. Groups will also include trained peer mentors to provide additional support.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
University of California, San Francisco
Lead Sponsor
HopeLab Foundation
Collaborator
Rescue Agency
Collaborator
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborator
Citations
Social Media Support Groups for Adolescent Vaping ...
The purpose of this study is to pilot test feasibility and acceptability of the Quit the Hit Toolkit, a social media-based nicotine vaping ...
Social media support groups for youth nicotine vaping ...
Main outcome: 7-day point prevalence abstinence from e-cigarette use. Results: Data was analyzed in 2024-2025. Mean age was 18.9 years, 39.8 ...
Delivering vaping cessation interventions to adolescents and ...
The objective of this study is to describe the protocol for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) testing the efficacy of an Instagram-based vaping cessation ...
4.
truthinitiative.org
truthinitiative.org/press/press-release/jama-publishes-new-study-proven-effectiveness-truth-initiatives-text-messageJAMA Publishes New Study on Proven Effectiveness of ...
First-of-its-kind randomized clinical trial shows teens 35% more likely to quit vaping nicotine with an interactive, tailored text message program.
JAMA Publishes New Study on Proven Effectiveness of ...
First-of-its-kind randomized clinical trial shows teens 35% more likely to quit vaping nicotine with an interactive, tailored text message program.
Social Media Intervention to Stop Nicotine and Cannabis ...
This study is a randomized controlled trial of a social media intervention to support teens in their efforts to quit vaping. Official Title.
7.
truthinitiative.org
truthinitiative.org/press/press-release/groundbreaking-study-reveals-text-message-vaping-cessation-program-also-helpsGroundbreaking Study Reveals Text Message Vaping ...
First study to demonstrate that interventions to help quit vaping nicotine can simultaneously reduce cannabis use among adolescents and young
Unbiased Results
We believe in providing patients with all the options.
Your Data Stays Your Data
We only share your information with the clinical trials you're trying to access.
Verified Trials Only
All of our trials are run by licensed doctors, researchers, and healthcare companies.