Promoting Smoking Cessation in the Community Via "Quit to Win" Contest 2026: Engagement-Focused GenAI-based Chatbot for Real-Time Smoking Cessation Support
QTW2026
Building Capacity and Promoting Smoking Cessation in the Community Via "Quit to Win" Contest 2026: Real-time Smoking Cessation Instant Messaging Support Using a Engagement-Focused Large Language Model (LLM)-Based Chatbot
1 other identifier
interventional
998
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The goal of this trial is to learn if chatbot-based instant messaging works to help smoking cessation in general adult smokers. It will also learn about the experience, attitude, and perception of using an LLM-based chatbot. The main questions it aims to answer are:
- 1.Will an engagement-focused LLM-based chatbot smoking cessation intervention have a non-inferior validated abstinence rate than the control group?
- 2.Will an LLM-based chatbot smoking cessation intervention have a non-inferior self-reported abstinence rate, smoking reduction rate, and smoking cessation services use rate than the control group?
- 3.AWARD advice
- 4.Personalised active referral
- 5.12 weeks of chatbot-based instant messaging support (via WhatsApp)
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P75+ for not_applicable
Started Jun 2026
Typical duration for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
June 9, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
June 15, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
June 20, 2026
ExpectedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
June 30, 2027
Study Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
June 30, 2028
June 15, 2026
June 1, 2026
1 year
June 9, 2026
June 9, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Biochemically validated abstinence
Defined as exhaled CO level \<4ppm and saliva cotinine level ≤30 ng/ml
6-month follow-up
Secondary Outcomes (10)
Biochemically validated abstinence
3-month follow-up
Self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence
3- and 6-month follow-ups
Self-reported reduction
1-, 2-, 3- and 6-month follow-ups
Self-reported use of smoking cessation service
1-, 2-, 3- and 6-month follow-ups
Prolonged abstinence
3-month and 6-month follow-ups
- +5 more secondary outcomes
Study Arms (2)
Intervention group
EXPERIMENTALControl group
ACTIVE COMPARATORInterventions
A brief (30-60 seconds) face-to-face or remote smoking cessation advice delivered using the validated AWARD model: Ask about smoking history; Warn about high health risks (accompanied by a health warning leaflet); Advise quitting as soon as possible and setting a quit date (to qualify for contest prizes); Refer to smoking cessation services using a referral card; Do it again - repeat the intervention at each follow-up, encouraging re-quitting after relapse or relapse prevention after success.
A two-sided, colour-printed A4 leaflet covering: (1) absolute risk of death from smoking; (2) full list of diseases caused by active and second-hand smoking; (3) ten pictorial warnings of health consequences on one page for maximum impact; (4) benefits of smoking cessation; and (5) simple encouraging messages to quit.
A three-folded card containing brief information and highlights of existing smoking cessation services in Hong Kong, contact methods, motivational messages, and strong supporting slogans.
A generic booklet provided covering: benefits of quitting, smoking-related diseases, methods to quit, how to handle withdrawal symptoms, a quitting declaration, and other practical tips.
Smokers will be introduced to various SC services in Hong Kong (via the referral card) and motivated to use them. Well-trained SC ambassadors will assist smokers in choosing their favourite or most convenient type of service. Research staff will assist participants in booking or re-booking the SC services at the 1- and 2-month follow-ups (after very brief questionnaire surveys). Participants' contact information will be forwarded to SC service providers within 7 days, and providers are expected to contact participants within 1-2 weeks. Research staff will also monitor participants' use of SC services at each follow-up (1-, 2-, 3-, and 6-month) and assist participants in booking or rebooking appointments if necessary at the 1- and 2-month follow-ups. We shall liaise with the existing service providers and seek their assistance in supporting our smokers in a timely manner.
Participants in the intervention group will receive 12 weeks of instant messaging support delivered by an LLM-based chatbot (GPT-4o or newer) on WhatsApp, supporting text and audio input. Using prompt engineering, agent techniques, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation, the chatbot delivers theory-based 5As/5Rs-structured interventions alongside freeform, on-demand support, with engagement features including personalisation, proactive check-ins, and interactive Quick Commands.
Participants in the control group will receive 12 weeks of instant messaging support delivered by a trained human counsellor via WhatsApp. Using the same theoretical frameworks as the chatbot intervention, the counsellor will provide real-time behavioural and psychosocial support grounded in the 5As/5Rs models, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and evidence-based Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs). The support will be personalised according to each participant's sociodemographic characteristics, smoking patterns, quit intentions, and plans.
WhatsApp messages on follow-up survey reminders.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Hong Kong residents aged 18 years or above
- Smoke at least one cigarette (including heated tobacco products) per day or use an e-cigarette daily in the preceding 3 months
- Able to communicate in Cantonese (including reading and writing Chinese)
- Saliva cotinine level ≥30 ng/mL
- Intention to quit or reduce smoking
- Have WhatsApp installed
- Able to use WhatsApp for communication
You may not qualify if:
- Currently participating in other smoking cessation programmes or using any smoking cessation drug
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health (COSH)
Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Man Ping Wang
The University of Hong Kong
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Professor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
June 9, 2026
First Posted
June 15, 2026
Study Start (Estimated)
June 20, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
June 30, 2027
Study Completion (Estimated)
June 30, 2028
Last Updated
June 15, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-06
Data Sharing
- IPD Sharing
- Will not share