How do smokers use a smoking cessation text messaging intervention?

INTRODUCTION

Mobile-phone-based text (SMS) messaging is an effective method for delivering smoking cessation assistance; however, little is known about optimal program use. This paper reports on the use of 2 forms of interaction (reporting changes in quit status and emergency help) among users of QuitTxt, an interactive, automated text messaging advice program. We examined preferences for messaging intensity, duration of use, and their associations with short-term cessation outcome or perceived helpfulness.

METHODS

QuitTxt was offered during participation in a previously reported randomized controlled trial and was activated by 924 smokers or recent quitters, of whom 862 used it to a criterion level. Outcome data (quit attempts, 7-day point prevalence abstinence, and perceived helpfulness) were collected 1 month after first use.

RESULTS

Most (68.9%) accepted the default of 4-8 messages per day, and median use duration was 27 days. Half (49.1%) appeared to miss reporting at least 1 status change, with relapses less likely to be reported than quit progression. Emergency help was used by 27.0% of those eligible for it; emergency help was used more frequently among those with recent quit experience and lower nicotine dependence. Use of emergency help was unrelated to short-term cessation outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The most notable finding is the variability in use. Some users complied fully with the requirement to report status changes, while even among those who did not, many found QuitTxt to be very helpful, suggesting that perfect congruence between message content and quit status is not essential. The use of emergency help functionality was relatively rare but was appreciated.

Contrasting smokers' and snus users' perceptions of personal tobacco behavior in norway

INTRODUCTION

In Norway, snus use and cigarette smoking are at different developmental stages as described by the diffusion of innovation model. Concomitant with declining smoking rates, the use of snus is increasing. In light of these differences in use trends, we assumed that snus users and cigarette smokers would have different perceptions of their personal tobacco use.

METHODS

A total of 4,852 smokers and snus users were recruited from a large sample of online panelists (n = 62,000) and a postal database (n = 15,000). The responses to 16 evaluative statements assessing perceptions about tobacco use were compared between exclusive snus users and exclusive smokers and within dual users. The statements concerned self-evaluative emotions, moral judgments, social disapproval, and benefits of quitting.

RESULTS

The perceptions of personal tobacco use differed greatly between exclusive smokers and exclusive snus users, even after controlling for age and sex. Smoker's perceptions were more negative compared with snus users' perception. The differences between smoking and snus use were particularly large for indices of social disapproval (Cohen's d = 1.56) and benefits from quitting use of the product (Cohen's d = 1.47) between exclusive users. Dual users exhibited a similar pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Smokers have a more negative perception of their own use compared to snus users. Dual users also devaluated smoking in comparison to their snus use. This finding may have important values for prevention strategies targeting smokers, snus users, and dual users.