**Quitline Coaching: An Encouraging Resource for Assisting Young People in Quitting Vaping**
In light of the increasing worries regarding vaping among young adults, a recent study has emerged as a source of optimism for those looking to quit nicotine. Research from **The Ohio State University College of Public Health** indicates that coaching via a phone-based quitline has enabled nearly half of young vapers between the ages of 18 to 24 to successfully abandon the habit, greatly enhancing their health outlook and lowering their risk of switching to traditional cigarettes. The study, co-authored by **Liz Klein**, was released in the *American Journal of Preventive Medicine* on December 10, 2024, shedding light on vaping cessation strategies—an area previously lacking adequate benchmarks.
### Encouraging Outcomes in Vaping Cessation
Over 500 participants were recruited for the study through social media, each completing a minimum of one quitline coaching session. Among these individuals—many of whom vaped on a daily basis—**45% reported having quit vaping three months post-enrollment in the study**. This finding is particularly promising, not just in terms of statistics, but also because it highlights that young adult vapers are driven to quit and can do so with appropriate support.
“This study shows that young adult vapers are eager to quit and can manage to overcome their nicotine addiction,” remarked Klein. “This demographic is crucial in transforming this behavior before they settle into a more established adulthood.”
### The Research Framework
To assess the efficacy of varied interventions, the research team devised a randomized study. Participants were assigned to one of four cessation approaches:
1. **Coaching through a phone-based quitline exclusively**
2. **Coaching combined with mailed nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)**
3. **Coaching paired with mHealth support** (mobile interventions that provide texts, links to videos, and online resources)
4. **Coaching integrating both nicotine replacement therapy and mHealth support**
While the overall success rate was unexpectedly high across all interventions, which complicated the task of isolating the most effective one, the researchers remained hopeful that the study yielded valuable insights. The data suggests that **quitline coaching serves as a potent standalone option**, particularly when enhanced by additional measures like nicotine replacement therapy.
### An Unexpected Preference: Personal Connection Over Technology
One of the surprising insights gleaned from the study was the participants’ enthusiasm for the quitline phone calls. The researchers initially believed that young individuals would favor text-based assistance over calls, but most participants indicated they would recommend quitline coaching to friends. This underscores the importance of human connections in facilitating behavioral change, even in a generation often perceived as more inclined towards digital communication.
### The Importance of Vaping Cessation
The pressing need for vaping cessation research arises from troubling statistics surrounding e-cigarette use among youth. In 2016, the U.S. Surgeon General proclaimed e-cigarette use an epidemic, highlighting the swift rise in usage among teenagers and young adults. By 2020, vaping prevalence soared to **18.9% for those aged 18 to 20** and **13.5% for ages 21 to 24**. Although e-cigarettes are frequently advertised as safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes, they present their own risks, including nicotine dependence, potential harm to developing brains, and the likelihood of transitioning to traditional smoking.
It is crucial to uncover effective cessation strategies for young vapers, especially considering that **58% of users in this demographic express a desire to quit**. However, there has been a scarcity of information on which interventions yield the best results for young adults.
“Our goal is to determine how we can assist young people in avoiding a long-term addiction to nicotine and preventing them from turning to cigarettes, which carry a significant burden of death and disease,” Klein stressed.
### Future Research Directions
Despite the positive results of this study, researchers recognize that further inquiries are necessary. A vital question for upcoming studies is identifying the most effective strategies to assist young individuals who utilize both e-cigarettes and combustible tobacco. Other areas to be explored include comprehension of the long-term success rates of these interventions and the creation of tailored approaches for specific subgroups within the young adult cohort.
### A Team Effort
The innovative research was conducted by a multidisciplinary team, featuring **Katrina Vickerman** from RVO Health, who co-led the study alongside Klein. Other contributors from Ohio State include **Julianna Nemeth** and **Abigail Shoben**. The study received substantial funding from the **American Heart Association**, highlighting its importance to public health.
### A Way Forward
As vaping persists in posing health risks to the youth, urgent measures are essential to address the adverse effects of nicotine addiction. The insights from this research represent a vital advancement in the pursuit of evidence-based cessation solutions.