Addressing Tobacco Use Disparities in Rural Older Adults Through an Innovative Mobile Phone Intervention

Addressing Tobacco Use Disparities in Rural Older Adults Through an Innovative Mobile Phone Intervention: Testing the Feasibility of the Textto4gotobacco Intervention

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a Scheduled Gradual Reduction (SGR) intervention via SMS (short message service) text messaging plus SMS Support Messages in decreasing smoking in an older adult rural population. The SGR group (n=20) will receive a four-week SGR program delivered via SMS text messages plus SMS support messages. The control group (n=20) will receive SMS support messages to aid in quitting.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Over 60 years of age,
2. Have smoked 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke five or more cigarettes a day on average,
3. Have an address in a rural census tract defined by a RUCA code of 4-10,
4. Interested in participating in a cessation program,
5. Own a phone that has texting ability and free texting,
6. Have general knowledge of text messaging and
7. Are willing to receive and respond to text messages from the study teams, throughout the duration of the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. criteria include non-English speaking patients
2. already participating in a smoking cessation intervention study.