Engaging and supporting young adults in smoking cessation: Insights from a mobile-based cessation program in China

Evidence-based smoking cessation treatments are underutilized by young adult smokers. This study explored young smokers' experiences with a mobile-based smoking cessation program that included a Quit & Win contest at a university in Zhuhai, China, aiming to identify key engagement and cessation mechanisms. Twenty participants (aged 18-25 years) were selected through purposive sampling. Semistructured interviews explored participants' experiences, motivations, and perceptions of the intervention. Thematic analysis was used to identify major themes from interview transcripts. Two main themes emerged: (1) strategies for enhancing program engagement, including the influence of campus-wide smoke-free environments, the appeal of the Quit & Win contest, and the use of peer counselors for recruitment; and (2) strategies for supporting smoking cessation, emphasizing the importance of a multifaceted approach. This approach included financial incentives as a motivator for quitting, sustaining cessation efforts with online group support, and building a therapeutic alliance with cessation counselors. Mobile-based interventions, combined with peer support, financial incentives, and campus-wide smoke-free activities, can effectively engage young adults in smoking cessation. Future interventions should implement comprehensive programs that incorporate these elements to address the unique challenges faced by this population.