Willingness of adolescents to participate in a smoking cessation program using a mobile phone

Background: Adolescent smokers seldom participate in smoking cessation programs. This study describes young peopleʼs participation in a smoking cessation program conducted in Switzerland, using tailored text messaging (SMS) delivered via mobile phone and investigates factors that enhance and barriers that hinder participation. Methods: Out of 1012 eligible young smokers 755 (74.6 %) participated in the programme. Smoking, intention to stop smoking, nicotine dependence, as well as characteristics of the vocational school classes (e.g. number of smokers in a class) were assessed. The mixed methods approach integrated qualitative results to enrich the quantitative analysis. Results: Daily smoking, as well as a strong intention to quit smoking, predicted participation. If the program information happened in large groups and early in the morning, participation was more likely. As reasons against participation, young smokers mentioned lack of fun, interest and time. According to them, attractive incentives would raise the likelihood of participation. Conclusion: Future cessation programs for young smokers via the mobile phone should particularly pay attention to participantʼs motivation to change, to hedonistic program components and to attractive incentives. Program information should occur in large groups and early in the morning to enhance participation.