Assessing the Effectiveness of Virtual Versus In-person Peer-motivation Smoking Cessation Interventions

The project will capitalize on the capacity of a long-term successful community-campus partnership to reduce tobacco-related health disparities through a mixed-method randomized community-based trial adapted to the needs of adults (>21 y/o). The smoking cessation classes will be conducted in community venues, including non-profit organizations, churches, schools, etc., in three underserved communities in Baltimore City. The three communities have been randomly allocated to one of the three arms of the study:

1. Enhanced in-person intervention
2. Virtual intervention
3. The self-help/control community

CEASE Digital smoking cessation program is a seven-week program using the CEASE Today Tobacco cessation manual. Sessions during the first two weeks will be held in-person for both the virtual and enhanced in-person arms after which the subsequent sessions will be conducted either virtually or in-person for the respective arms. Week one will entail an orientation session. Following the screening, all eligible participants will be invited to the orientation session where the participants will be taken through the informed consent process. After completing the informed consent process, each participant will complete a baseline survey and take a carbon monoxide (CO) breath test. The participants will be given relevant introductory information about the CEASE Digital program.

In addition, participants will be given one month/30 days to set a quit date and will receive Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) samples along with information about using NRT. Orientation packets, with relevant materials, will be provided to the participants and intervention site coordinators. In the second week, which will also be held in-person for all the participants, class information and technology training (using zoom and slack) will be provided. Participants will get an opportunity to practice accessing the program materials and /curriculum via the digital platforms. In addition, ground rules for the meetings will be set, including group meeting etiquette and maintaining confidentiality.

CEASE Today Tobacco Cessation program will commence in week three and will continue for a total of five sessions delivered weekly for five weeks. Smoking cessation classes (support groups) will be delivered either in-person or virtually. Each session will last for 2 hours, and trained peer-motivators will deliver the classes. Participants will be enrolled in groups of up to 10-15 individuals.