A Novel Mobile Health Intervention for Improving Tobacco Cessation Among Young Adults

June 3, 2026 updated by: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Development and Pilot Evaluation of a Novel Mobile Health Intervention for Young Adult Tobacco Cessation

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable cancer deaths. Among young adults, approximately 1 in 5 use commercial nicotine and tobacco products, putting them at risk of developing nicotine addiction and long-term health effects from exposure to toxicants. Innovative approaches are needed to engage young adults in treatment, as they are less engaged in traditional treatment.

This clinical trial compares two versions of a mobile health intervention called Living Free from Tobacco (LiFT), designed to support nicotine and tobacco cessation among young adults. Both versions of the app are designed to motivate and support young adults to stop using nicotine and tobacco, regardless of current readiness to quit. Version A of the LiFT app (LiFT A) focuses on increasing psychological flexibility to support cessation, while Version B (LiFT B) provides educational content and resources related to tobacco use and cessation. Both versions of the program are delivered through a smartphone application and include accompanying text messages.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

OUTLINE: Participants are assigned to 1 of 3 phases.

USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT PHASE (Objective 1): Participants attend user testing interviews where they interact with LiFT application (app) prototypes and provide feedback through think-aloud methods to support refinement of the intervention content and features.

PILOT TRIAL PHASE (Objective 2): Participants are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

  • ARM I: Participants use the LiFT A app, which includes interactive games and exercises, educational content, and tools tailored to young adults using an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) treatment approach, for 3 months. Participants also receive associated text messages 2-3 times per week.
  • ARM II: Participants use the LiFT B app, which includes educational resources on preparing to quit, nicotine withdrawal, coping with withdrawal, and mental health, along with health information videos, for 3 months. Participants also receive associated text messages 2-3 times per week.

POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY PHASE (Objective 3): Participants use the LiFT app and complete daily usability and satisfaction assessments for approximately 1 week. Participants also complete a survey and attend an interview.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
140

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • New Mexico
      • Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States, 88003
        • Not yet recruiting
        • New Mexico State University
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Tamara Stimatze, PhD
    • Washington
      • Seattle, Washington, United States, 98109
        • Recruiting
        • Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jaimee Heffner, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Participants must self-identify being between 18 and 30 years of age
  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Participants must be a United States (US) resident, with a US mailing address
  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Participants must self-report use of any (non-therapeutic) nicotine or tobacco product at least once per week in the 30 days prior to screening
  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Participants must own a smartphone
  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Participants must self-report having internet access for the interviews
  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Participants must self-report that they are interested in participating in the study for themselves (versus [vs] someone else)
  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Participants must self-report that they have not participated in one of our prior tobacco cessation studies
  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Participants must self-report that they understand and agree to the conditions of compensation
  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Participants must self-report that they are not currently incarcerated
  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Participants must be willing and able to complete study procedures in English
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must self-identify being between 18 and 30 years of age
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must currently reside in the US and anticipate continued residence for the duration of the study (3 months)
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must self-report use of any (non-therapeutic) nicotine or tobacco product at least once per week in the 30 days prior to screening
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must own an Android (running version 12 or higher) or iPhone (running iOS version 17 or higher, iPhone 11 or more recent)
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must self-report having at least weekly internet access for the next three months
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must be willing and able to download an app to their phone and receive text messages
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must self-report current use of a personal email account
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must self-report current use of text messaging
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must self-report that they are interested in participating in the study for themselves (vs someone else)
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must self-report that they have not participated in one of our prior tobacco cessation studies
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must self-report that they understand and agree to the conditions of compensation
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must self-report that they are not currently incarcerated
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must be willing to use the assigned intervention program, complete the study assessments, and complete an online consent form in English
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must self-identify being between 18 and 30 years of age
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must currently reside in the US
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must self-report use of any (non-therapeutic) nicotine or tobacco product at least once per week in the 30 days prior to screening
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must own an Android (running version 12 or higher) or iPhone (running iOS version 17 or higher, iPhone 11 or more recent)
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must self-report having at least internet access for the duration of the diary study
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must be willing and able to download an app to their phone and receive text messages
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must self-report current use of a personal email account
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must self-report current use of text messaging
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must self-report that they are interested in participating in the study for themselves (vs someone else)
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must self-report that they have not participated in one of our prior tobacco cessation studies
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must self-report that they understand and agree to the conditions of compensation
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must self-report that they are not currently incarcerated
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must be willing to use the intervention program, complete the study assessments, and complete an online consent form in English

Exclusion Criteria:

  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Individuals must not be < 18 or > 30 years of age
  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Individuals must not have a Google voice number as their sole phone number
  • USER-CENTERED DESIGN AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT: Individuals who are non-English speaking cannot participate, as this would prevent their participation in the interviews, which will be conducted in English
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must not be < 18 or > 30 years of age
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must not be currently using other tobacco cessation treatments at the time of screening, including pharmacotherapy or behavioral support (but initiating these treatments during the study is allowed)
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must not be a member of the same household as another research participant
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must not have a Google voice number as their sole phone number
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must not be identified as fraudulent per our fraud prevention protocol
  • PILOT TRIAL: Participants must not be pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant over the next 3 months
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Individuals must not be < 18 or > 30 years of age
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Participants must not have a Google voice number as their sole phone number
  • POST PILOT TRIAL DIARY STUDY: Individuals who are non-English speaking cannot participate, as this would prevent their participation in the interviews, which will be conducted in English

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
No Intervention: User-centered design and program development phase (interview) [Objective 1]
Participants attend user testing interviews where they interact with LiFT app prototypes and provide feedback through think-aloud methods to support refinement of the intervention content and features.
Experimental: Pilot phase, Arm I (LiFT A app, LiFT A text messages) [Objective 2]
Participants use the LiFT A app, which includes interactive games and exercises, educational content, and tools tailored to young adults using an ACT treatment approach, for 3 months. Participants also receive LiFT A text messages 2-3 times per week.
Other: Survey Administration
Complete surveys
Other: Survey Administration
Complete survey
Other: Smartphone app-based Intervention
Use LiFT A app
Other: Smartphone app-based Intervention
Use LiFT B app
Other: Communication intervention
Receive LiFT A text messages
Other: Communication intervention
Receive LiFT B text messages
Experimental: Pilot phase, Arm II (LiFT B app, LiFT B text messages) [Objective 2]
Participants use the LiFT B app, which includes educational resources on preparing to quit, nicotine withdrawal, coping with withdrawal, mental health, along with health information videos, for 3 months. Participants also receive LiFT B text messages 2-3 times per week.
Other: Survey Administration
Complete surveys
Other: Survey Administration
Complete survey
Other: Smartphone app-based Intervention
Use LiFT A app
Other: Smartphone app-based Intervention
Use LiFT B app
Other: Communication intervention
Receive LiFT A text messages
Other: Communication intervention
Receive LiFT B text messages
Other: Post pilot trial diary study phase (LiFT, survey, interview) [Objective 3]
Participants use the LiFT app and complete daily usability and satisfaction assessments for approximately 1 week. Participants also complete a survey and attend an interview.
Other: Survey Administration
Complete surveys
Other: Survey Administration
Complete survey
Other: Interview
Attend interview
Other: Smartphone app-based Intervention
Use LiFT A app
Other: Smartphone app-based Intervention
Use LiFT B app
Other: Assessment
Complete usability assessment

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Overall satisfaction (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
Overall satisfaction with the assigned program will be assessed by self-report on a 5-point Likert-type scale from "not at all" (1) to "very much" (5) and summarized by arm using means and standard deviations.
At 3 months
Number of logins to assigned application (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
Treatment utilization will include number of logins to the assigned application, determined objectively using tracking software.
At 3 months
Usefulness of the program (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
The perceived usefulness of the assigned program will be assessed by self-report on a 5-point Likert-type scale from "not at all" (1) to "very much" (5) and summarized by arm using means and standard deviations.
At 3 months
Usefulness of text messages (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
The perceived usefulness of the assigned program's text messages will be assessed by self-report on a 5-point Likert-type scale from "not at all" (1) to "very much" (5) and summarized by arm using means and standard deviations.
At 3 months
Satisfaction with perceived tailoring (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
The perception that the assigned program was made for someone like the participant will be assessed by self-report on a 5-point Likert-type scale from "not at all" (1) to "very much" (5) and summarized by arm using means and standard deviations.
At 3 months
Satisfaction with guidance on how to quit (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
The perception that the program clarified how to quit nicotine/tobacco when ready will be assessed by self-report on a 5-point Likert-type scale from "not at all" (1) to "very much" (5) and summarized by arm using means and standard deviations.
At 3 months
Perception that program offered a novel approach to quitting (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
The perception that the program offered a new way of looking at quitting will be assessed by self-report on a 5-point Likert-type scale from "not at all" (1) to "very much" (5) and summarized by arm using means and standard deviations.
At 3 months
Perceived helpfulness for quit preparation (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
The perception that the program will help with quitting if/when ready will be assessed by self-report on a 5-point Likert-type scale from "not at all" (1) to "very much" (5) and summarized by arm using means and standard deviations.
At 3 months
Willingness to recommend program to a friend (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
Whether the respondent would recommend the program to a friend will be assessed via responses of "yes," "no," or "not sure." Responses will be categorized into a binary variable representing "yes" versus other responses (i.e.,"no" or "not sure").
At 3 months
Usability (Post pilot trial diary study phase)
Time Frame: At completion of post pilot trial diary study phase (At Day 9)
Qualitative data from interviews, diary entries and exit interviews will be coded and analyzed using rapid inductive content analysis to extract themes. Usability data will be reported using descriptive statistics and compared against the benchmark score of 68, which represents average usability.
At completion of post pilot trial diary study phase (At Day 9)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Biochemically-confirmed 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) from all nicotine and tobacco use (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
Percentage of participants reporting abstinence from all nicotine and tobacco use (excluding Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacotherapies) over the previous 7 days, biochemically confirmed via saliva cotinine.
At 3 months
Self-reported 7-day PPA from all nicotine and tobacco use (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
Percentage of participants reporting abstinence from all nicotine and tobacco use (excluding Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacotherapies) over the previous 7 days.
At 3 months
Self-reported 30-day PPA (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
Percentage of participants reporting abstinence from all nicotine and tobacco use (excluding Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacotherapies) over the previous 30 days.
At 3 months
Cotinine-confirmed 30-day PPA (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: At 3 months
Percentage of participants reporting abstinence from all nicotine and tobacco use (excluding Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacotherapies) over the previous 30 days, biochemically confirmed via saliva cotinine.
At 3 months
Average change in Contemplation Ladder scores (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: From baseline to 3 months
The outcome will be calculated as the 3-month follow-up minus baseline score on the 11-point Contemplation Ladder. Positive change scores indicate increases in readiness to quit, on average, whereas negative change scores indicate decreases in readiness to quit.
From baseline to 3 months
Change in acceptance of tobacco use triggers (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: From baseline to 3 months
This outcome will be calculated as the 3-month follow-up minus baseline score on the cravings subscale of the Avoidance and Inflexibility Scale. Because avoidance and inflexibility represent the inverse of acceptance, positive change scores indicate a decrease in acceptance, on average, whereas negative change scores indicate increased acceptance of tobacco use triggers.
From baseline to 3 months
Change in values progress (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: From baseline to 3 months
This outcome will be calculated as the 3-month follow-up minus baseline score the progress subscale of the Valuing Questionnaire. Positive change scores indicate increases in values progress, on average, whereas negative change scores indicate decreases in values progress.
From baseline to 3 months
Change in values obstruction (Pilot trial phase)
Time Frame: From baseline to 3 months
This outcome will be calculated as the 3-month follow-up minus baseline score the values obstruction subscale of the Valuing Questionnaire. Positive change scores indicate increases in values obstruction, on average, whereas negative change scores indicate decreases in values obstruction.
From baseline to 3 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Jaimee Heffner, PhD, Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
December 31, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
April 30, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
April 30, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
June 4, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 3, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • RG1126140
  • U54CA132381 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • NCI-2026-00801 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program))

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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