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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT06644664

Nicotine and Tobacco Message Framing to Change Smoking Behavior in Diverse Groups of Young Adult Smokers

This clinical trial evaluates the effect of message framing on smoking behaviors among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) young adults who use nicotine and/or tobacco. Tobacco regulation has contributed to a steady decline in tobacco products designed to be smoked (combustible), but there has been an increase in the use of new tobacco products, such as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The use of more than one tobacco product (polytobacco) is high in LGBTQ+ populations. Both LGBTQ+ people and people who engage in polytobacco use are less likely to view tobacco as harmful, which may reinforce tobacco use. Message framing includes culturally targeted messages to communicate the absolute risks (AR) and relative risks (RR) of polytobacco use. Using message framing may increase quit rates or change smoking behaviors in LGBTQ+ young adults who use nicotine and/or tobacco products.

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Key information

Conditions

Tobacco-Related Carcinoma Behavior Coitus Sexual Behavior Smoking Vaping

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

About this study

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Assess the feasibility of delivering mobile multimedia messaging (MMS) anti-tobacco messages developed in the K99 to LGBT young adults via texting.

II. Estimate effect sizes of exposure to anti-tobacco messages on risk perceptions and tobacco use over time.

OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 3 arms.

ARM I: Participants receive AR anti-polytobacco MMS messages 3 times a week (TIW) and a check-in text message once a week (QW) for a total of 6 weeks.

ARM II: Participants receive RR anti-polytobacco MMS messages TIW and a check-in text message QW for a total of 6 weeks.

ARM III: Participants receive control MMS messages on health risks of ultraviolet (UV)/sun exposure TIW and a check-in text message QW for a total of 6 weeks.

All participants also receive smoking cessation resources via email during follow up.

After completion of study intervention, participants are followed up at 6 and 12 weeks.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 18-35 years old
  • Self-identify as LGBTQ+
  • Able to speak English fluently
  • An ever user of ENDS and combustible tobacco who currently use ENDS, combustible cigarettes, or both ENDS and combustible cigarettes
  • Currently reside in the United States (US)
  • Have a mobile phone through a U.S. carrier with MMS messaging and can send and receive text messages for study participation
  • Access to the internet with Zoom capabilities

Exclusion criteria

  • Have a landline or Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phone number

Treatment and study plan

Health Education

Behavioral

Receive control MMS messages

interview

Other

Ancillary studies

Smoking Cessation Intervention

Behavioral

Receive AR MMS messages

Other names: Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation Interventions

Survey Administration

Other

Ancillary studies

Text Message-Based Navigation Intervention

Other

Receive check-in text message

Other names: Automated Text Message-Based Navigation, Text Message-Based Navigation

Primary outcomes

  1. Total tobacco cessation

    Time frame: At 12 weeks post-baseline

    2 items. Asks for current use of nicotine vapes and combustible cigarettes Every day, Some days, or Not at all.

  2. Acceptability of multimedia messaging service (MMS) anti-polytobacco messages

    Time frame: At 6-week post-enrollment

    In a qualitative interview, Participants will be asked the following question: How did you find participating in a study with images sent via text message? How smoothly would you say it went?

  3. Feasibility of MMS anti-polytobacco messages

    Time frame: At 6-weeks post-enrollment

    6 items per study arm. Experimental arms 1 and 2: 6 Yes/No questions (1 per week) checking for engagement with the study content, specifically regarding nicotine and tobacco use. Control Group: 6 Yes/No questions (1 per week) checking for engagement with the study content, specifically regarding sun safety.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Switching to exclusive electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use

    Time frame: At 6- and 12-weeks post-baseline

    2 items. Asks for current use of nicotine vapes and combustible cigarettes Every day, Some days, or Not at all.

  2. Risk perceptions

    Time frame: At 6- and 12-weeks post-baseline

    3 items. 2 items on a 5 point likert scale where 1= Not at all harmful and 5= Extremely harmful. How harmful do you think nicotine vapes, e-cigarettes, or other electronic products are to health? How harmful do you think cigarettes are to health?; 1 item with 3 response options: Less harmful, About the same, More harmful. Is using nicotine vapes, e-cigarettes or other electronic nicotine products less harmful, about the same, or more harmful than smoking cigarettes?

  3. Behavioral intentions

    Time frame: Difference between conditions in behavioral intentions from screener, and at 6 and 12-week post baseline

    2 Items. Are you seriously thinking of quitting nicotine vapes? and Are you seriously thinking of quitting cigarettes? 5 response options: Yes, within the next 30 days; Yes, within the next 6 months; Yes, within the next year; Yes, but not within the next year; No, not thinking of quitting.

  4. Serious quit attempts

    Time frame: Difference between conditions in quit attempts from screener, and at 6 and 12-week post baseline

    2 items. During the PAST 12 MONTHS, how many times have you stopped vaping nicotine for 1 day or longer because you were trying to quit? and During the PAST 12 MONTHS, how many times have you stopped vaping nicotine for 1 day or longer because you were trying to quit? 5 response options: None; 1-2 times; 3-5 times; 6-10 times; More than 10 times

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Other

Collaborators

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Registry information

Official study title

The Effect of Nicotine and Tobacco Message Framing on Use Among Diverse Groups of Young Adults: Aim 3 Randomized Control Trial (RCT)

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Oct 16, 2024
Registry last updated
Mar 30, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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