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.
CLINICALTRIAL
Dutch Trial Register, Trial NL8330 (https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8330)
Tailored Information about E-Cigarettes in a Web-Based Smoking Cessation Intervention: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)
