Effectiveness of a WhatsApp-based program for nicotine and tobacco cessation among young people
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN16197153 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16197153 |
| Sponsor | Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction |
| Funder | Swiss Tobacco Prevention Fund |
- Submission date
- 08/12/2025
- Registration date
- 09/12/2025
- Last edited
- 09/12/2025
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Nicotine and tobacco products are widely used by adolescents and young adults in Switzerland. At the same time, WhatsApp is one of the most frequently used digital communication platforms by this age group. Delivering individually tailored, evidence-based coaching messages via WhatsApp is a promising way to support young people in quitting nicotine use. This study aims to test the efficacy of a semi-automated, WhatsApp-based intervention program to support nicotine cessation and reduction in adolescents and young adults.
Who can participate?
Regular (at least weekly) nicotine users aged 16–30 years, including those who use tobacco cigarettes, vapes, snus or multiple nicotine products. Additionally the participants should own a mobile phone.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be assessed at the beginning of the study and at follow-ups after 3 and 6 months. For 12 weeks, participants in the intervention group will receive individually tailored messages designed to motivate them to stop or reduce their nicotine use. These messages will provide advice on dealing with cravings and stressful situations, as well as tips on quitting or reducing nicotine use. They will also have the opportunity to ask a counsellor individual questions via a separate WhatsApp channel. Participants in the control group will not initially have the opportunity to take part in the program, but will be invited to do so after completing the 6-month survey.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The possible benefit to participants is that the intervention program will help them to stop or reduce their nicotine use. There are no known risks to participants taking part in this study.
Where is the study run from?
Swiss Research Institute for Public Health and Addiction (Switzerland)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2025 to January 2028
Who is funding the study?
Swiss Tobacco Prevention Fund (Switzerland)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Severin Haug, severin.haug@isgf.uzh.ch
Contact information
Principal investigator, Public, Scientific
Konradstrasse 32
Zurich
8005
Switzerland
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-6539-5045 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +41 (0)444481174 |
| severin.haug@isgf.uzh.ch |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional | |
|---|---|---|
| Allocation | Randomized controlled trial | |
| Masking | Blinded (masking used) | |
| Control | Placebo | |
| Assignment | Parallel | |
| Purpose | Prevention | |
| Scientific title | Efficacy of a WhatsApp-based intervention program for nicotine and tobacco cessation among young people: a randomized controlled trial | |
| Study acronym | NicotineFreeCoach | |
| Study objectives | To test the efficacy of a semi-automated, WhatsApp-based intervention program to support nicotine cessation and reduction in adolescents and young adults. | |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 07/12/2025, Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the University of Zurich (Andreasstrasse 15, PO Box 12, Zurich, 8050, Switzerland; +41 (0)44 635 71 81; chair.ethics. committee@phil.uzh.ch), ref: 25.12.25 | |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Nicotine and tobacco use | |
| Intervention | Participants will be assessed at the beginning of the study and at follow-ups after 3 and 6 months. The researchers will use simple randomization (1:1 ratio) using computer generated random numbers. For 12 weeks, participants in the intervention group will receive individually tailored messages designed to motivate them to stop or reduce their nicotine use. These messages will provide advice on dealing with cravings and stressful situations, as well as tips on quitting or reducing nicotine use. They will also have the opportunity to ask a counsellor individual questions via a separate WhatsApp channel. Participants in the control group will not initially have the opportunity to take part in the program, but will be invited to do so after completing the 6-month survey. | |
| Intervention type | Behavioural | |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
| |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
| |
| Completion date | 31/01/2028 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Lower age limit | 16 Years |
| Upper age limit | 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 870 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Aged 16-30 years 2. Possession of a mobile phone 3. At least weekly use of tobacco or nicotine products in the previous month |
| Key exclusion criteria | Does not meet the inclusion criteria |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/04/2026 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/06/2027 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Switzerland
Study participating centres
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan |
Editorial Notes
08/12/2025: Study's existence confirmed by the Swiss Tobacco Prevention Fund.
