Non-combustible nicotine product cessation interventions in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review

Abstract

New nicotine products such as e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and smokeless tobacco/nicotine products, are popular among young people. Most regret having started using these products, but little is known about how to help adolescents and young adults to quit most effectively. This systematic review aimed to identify all existing studies on the efficacy of cessation interventions on the use of novel nicotine and tobacco products in adolescents and young adults. Original randomized controlled trials on cessation of use of e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and smokeless nicotine/tobacco products aimed at young people aged between 15 and 25 were included. The exclusion criteria were interventions on cessation of cigarette/conventional tobacco smoking and studies that focused on preventing initiation rather than cessation. Both researchers independently screened articles and extracted data. The risk of bias was assessed. A total of 345 papers were screened for eligibility, and 9 original studies were included. All studies were conducted in the United States. Populations ranged from 24 to 2588. Five studies reported significant effects of the study interventions, of which 4 were extensive multi-component smokeless tobacco cessation interventions in a high school or college setting. The fifth effective intervention was an SMS text-based e-cigarette cessation program. Low-grade evidence suggests that multi-component interventions that include counseling and an SMS text-based cessation program that is also based on behavioral support may be effective in the cessation of the use nicotine products in adolescents and young adults. Further research that includes cessation of the use of all new tobacco- and nicotine products is needed.