Population-level effects of automated smoking cessation help programs: A randomized controlled trial

AbstractAimsTo test the population impact of offering automated smoking cessation interventions via the internet and/or by mobile phone.DesignPragmatic randomized controlled trial with five conditions: offer of (i) minimal intervention control; (ii) QuitCoach personalized tailored internet‐delivered advice program; (iii) onQ, an interactive automated text‐messaging program; (iv) an integration of both QuitCoach and onQ; and (v) a choice of either alone or the combined program.SettingAustralia, via a mix of internet and telephone contacts.ParticipantsA total of 3530 smokers or recent quitters recruited from those interested in quitting, and seeking self‐help resources (n = 1335) or cold‐contacted from internet panels (n = 2195).MeasurementsThe primary outcome was self‐report of 6 months sustained abstinence at 7 months post‐recruitment.FindingsOnly 42.5% of those offered one of the interventions took it up to a minimal level. The intervention groups combined had a non‐significantly higher 6‐month sustained abstinence rate than the control [odds ratio (OR) = 1.48; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.98–2.24] (missing cases treated as smokers), with no differences between the interventions. Among those who used an intervention, there was a significant overall increase in abstinence (OR = 1.95; CI: 1.04–3.67), but not clearly so when analysing only cases with reported outcomes. Success rates were greater among those recruited after seeking information compared to those cold‐contacted.ConclusionsSmokers interested in quitting who were assigned randomly to an offer of either the QuitCoach internet‐based support program and/or the interactive automated text‐messaging program had non‐significantly greater odds of quitting for at least 6 months than those randomized to an offer of a simple information website.