Social Media Vaping Cessation Pilot With Peer Mentors

Single-Arm Social Media Vaping Cessation Trial With Peer Mentors

The purpose of this study is to understand the feasibility and acceptability of integrating peer mentoring into a social media-based intervention to help adolescents and young adults quit e-cigarette use.

This study is a one-arm pilot trial with adolescent and young adult e-cigarette users. This study tested a peer-mentored program to help teens and young adults quit vaping using social media. Participants joined one of two inter groups and received messages from a trained counselor over 5 weeks. Each group also included two peer mentors who had successfully quit vaping and offered support. Participants completed surveys before and after the program.

Inclusion criteria for intervention participants:

1. English literacy;
2. aged 13 to 21;
3. use social media at least four days per week;
4. vape at least once per week in the past 30 days;
5. are considering or interested in quitting within the next six months or 30 days; and
6. resided in California.

Inclusion criteria for peer mentors:

1. English literacy;
2. aged 18-29;
3. have quit e-cigarettes for more than 3 months;
4. are willing to participate in an approximately 2-hour online training and pass the test after training; and
5. will commit to provide support to help peers quit vaping in Instagram groups for 5 weeks (approximately 20 mins/day).

Exclusion criteria for intervention participants:

Individuals who do not meet the inclusion criteria.

Exclusion criteria for peer mentors:

Those who report using other tobacco products or substances and those with active mental health conditions will be excluded