Adapting an Intervention for Vaping in Young Veterans

The objective of this proposal is to adapt an evidence-based combustible tobacco counseling intervention following an evidence-based process to include e-cigarette use and update its components for emerging adults (EA). 1. Examine factors related to e-cigarette use, barriers to cessation, and facilitators of use of cessation services among an EA population. 2. Beta-test an initial version of the intervention, delivered via video telehealth and telephone, to examine usability and acceptability.

Use of electronic nicotine products (ENDS) has increased dramatically especially among young adults (EA- aged 18-30) and has been found to lead to immediate harmful health effects and increased addiction to combustible cigarette use. To date no research-tested interventions have been developed for helping people stop use of electronic nicotine products. Emerging adulthood is a developmental period that can lead to adoption of health risk behaviors. This proposal aims to address nicotine addiction by adapting an evidence-based counseling cessation intervention developed by the American Cancer Society (ACS) for a general population of combustible tobacco smokers, but found to be effective in EA. We will test two methods of providing counseling to participants: video telehealth or telephone. Primary outcome: Compared to self-help guide only, at 3 month follow-up, we hypothesize that participants in either counseling arm will have higher rates as compared to self-help only control of 7-day abstinence from using any nicotine product. This study fills a critical gap in ENDS research and will provide a model for further research into all-nicotine cessation in this vulnerable population.