Penn State TXT2STAYQUIT Study- a Texting Study to Help Hospitalized Smokers Stay Quit

Pilot Randomized Trial of Brief Automated Smoking Cessation Intervention and Evaluation for Smokers Discharged From Hospital

This study aims to pilot a method of collecting the post-discharge follow-up data required by the Joint Commission Tobacco Measure Set, using text messages sent to and received from patients' cellular-telephones. It also aims to assess whether specially designed relapse prevention text messages designed to encourage abstinence from smoking, can increase the proportion of smokers who remain abstinent during the first month after discharge from hospital.

Participants will be those who are hospitalized at Hershey Medical Center and are interested in help to stay quit when they leave the hospital.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Total length of hospital stay at least 24 hours
• Free of cognitive impairment
• Read and speak English
• Smoked at least 20 cigarettes in 30 days prior to entering the hospital
• Willing to give up all forms of tobacco
• Has a cell phone capable of receiving text messages (cell phone is powered on and charged)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patient has been admitted for a transplant
• Patient has Intensive Care status