Context
Recent data suggest that the onset of cigarette smoking is now more likely during young adulthood than adolescence. Additionally, the landscape of delivering smoking-cessation interventions has changed in the past decade, with the emergence of mobile phone and web-based approaches. The objective of this study is to update a 2010 systematic review of smoking-cessation interventions for U.S. young adults (aged 18–24 years).
Evidence acquisition
Electronic searches were conducted in CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, and Sociological Abstracts to identify eligible interventions from August 31, 2009 through July 17, 2019. Two independent coders critically evaluated the methodology and findings of all retrieved articles. Data analysis was conducted in 2019.
Evidence synthesis
Seventeen RCTs and one non-randomized study were added to the original 14 studies meeting the inclusion criteria for this review; these studies varied with respect to sample size, intervention, assessed outcomes, and smoking measures. Of the new studies, three increased cessation in the short term, two at 6 months, and one had short-term effects on cigarette reduction. Pooled analyses supported the use of interventions employing social cognitive theory, quitline counseling, and text message programs for short-term cessation in young adults.
Conclusions
Of 32 included studies, nine demonstrated efficacy of smoking cessation or reduction in U.S. young adults. There were no eligible pharmacologic interventions included in this review. Findings support the promise of three approaches for young adult cessation not included in the prior review: text message interventions, sustained quit-and-win contests, and multiple behavior interventions.
