Impact of E-Cigarette Prevention Messages on Adolescents

NCT05985538 | Completed Results DMC

• 2 other identifiers: 20-12455R01DA049155-02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 480
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this trial is to determine whether a vaping prevention text message program reduces susceptibility to vaping among adolescents and young adults. This study addresses this issue by exposing participants to a vaping prevention text message program over a 28-day period in a randomized controlled trial with a matched attention control condition. A follow-up assessment is also made 4 weeks after the text messaging ends.

Conditions

Vaping Behavior

Keywords

Health communication; Tobacco use; vaping prevention

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Mean Susceptibility to Vaping Score

  The mean susceptibility to vaping score will be assessed using the questionnaire. Response options are on a 1 to 4 scale. Overall scale scores are determined by summing scores of the 3 items and dividing them by 3 (range 1-4), with higher scores representing a greater susceptibility to vaping (a worse outcome).

  Visit 3 (4 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (19)

• Mean Vaping Instrumental Attitudes Score

  Visit 3 (4 weeks)

• Mean Vaping Affective Attitudes Score

  Visit 3 (4 weeks)

• Mean Vaping Addiction Risk Beliefs Score

  Visit 3 (4 weeks)

• Mean Vaping Monetary Cost Beliefs Score

  Visit 3 (4 weeks)

• Mean Vaping Chemical Risk Beliefs Score

  Visit 3 (4 weeks)

Study Arms (2)

Vaping prevention text messages

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive text messages (2 daily, on average) about the harms of e-cigarette use and vaping for 28 days, with introductory messages sent on day 1 and concluding messages sent on day 28.

Behavioral: Vaping prevention text messages

Wellness behavior text messages

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will receive text messages (2 daily, on average) about general wellness topics, with introductory messages sent on day 1 and concluding messages sent on day 28.

Behavioral: Wellness behaviors text messages

Interventions

Vaping prevention text messages BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive text messages (2 daily, on average) about the harms of e-cigarette use and vaping for 28 days, with introductory messages sent on day 1 and concluding messages sent on day 28. Each vaping prevention text message will focus on one of six topics: nicotine addiction, monetary costs of vaping, chemical exposures from e-cigarette vapor, cosmetic effects of vaping, mental and physical use symptoms of vaping, and health impact on organs from vaping. Some text messages will ask participants for a reply (i.e., two-way messages).

Vaping prevention text messages

Wellness behaviors text messages BEHAVIORAL

Participants will receive text messages (2 daily, on average) about general wellness topics, with introductory messages sent on day 1 and concluding messages sent on day 28. Each wellness text message will focus on one of six topics: sleep hygiene, safe driving, sun safety, study habits, nutrition, and exercise. This attention control condition is matched with the intervention condition in that participants will receive the same number of text messages over the same number of days, the same intervention structure (e.g., 6 topics), and the same number and types of two-way messages.

Wellness behavior text messages

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 13 Years - 20 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Ages 13-20 years old (inclusive)
• Have a phone that sends and receives text messages
• Ever vaped or are susceptible to using e-cigarettes or vaping

You may not qualify if:

• None

Sponsors & Collaborators

• UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center: lead
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): collaborator
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States

Location

Related Links

• University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Clinical Trials

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Tobacco Use

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavior

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Dr. Seth M. Noar
• Organization: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

noar@unc.edu

9192607269

Study Officials

• Seth Noar, PhD

  UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: No
• Restrictive Agreement: No

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 2, 2023
• First Posted: August 14, 2023
• Study Start: February 5, 2024
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2024
• Study Completion: August 12, 2024
• Last Updated: August 22, 2025
• Results First Posted: August 22, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations

US (1)