Text Messaging for Smoking Cessation in College Health Clinics

Text Messaging to Augment Physician Brief Advice for Smoking Cessation in College Health Clinics

This study is a randomized-controlled clinical trial which evaluates the efficacy of physician brief advice, nicotine replacement therapy and a 6-week course of text messaging in promoting cigarette smoking in smokers enrolled in college.

The primary hypothesis is that smokers receiving physician brief advice, nicotine replacement therapy, and text messaging will have higher quit rates that smokers receiving physician brief advice and nicotine replacement therapy alone.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 through 24 years
• Enrolled as a full/part time college student
• A current smoker (Have smoked more than 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and now smoke every day or some days)
• English-speaking
• Interested in quitting
• Have a cell phone for personal use with an unlimited text messaging plan.

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of hypersensitivity/allergy to nicotine patch;
• Serious arrhythmias - History of heart disease (myocardial infarction, severe chest pain, or coronary artery disease)
• Current pregnancy/breastfeeding/plan for pregnancy