Intervention study for smoking cessation in Spanish college students: pragmatic randomized controlled trial

AimTo evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse intervention aimed at helping college student smokers quit smoking. DesignSingle-blind, pragmatic randomized controlled trial which compares a multi-component intervention, tailored specifically to college students, with a brief advice session with a 6-month follow-up. SettingsThis study was conducted at the University of Navarra, Spain. ParticipantsA total of 255 college student smokers (age range=18-24 years) were randomized to an intervention group (n=133) or to a control group (n=122). InterventionA multi-component intervention based on the Theory of Triadic Influence of Flay was developed. The intervention consisted of a 50-minute motivational interview conducted by a nurse and online self-help material. The follow-up included a reinforcing e-mail and group therapy. MeasurementsThe primary outcome was self-reported abstinence, with biochemical verification at 6 months. The secondary outcomes consisted of the mean number of cigarettes smoked per day, self-reported attempts to quit smoking and stage of change at 6 months. FindingsAt the 6-month follow-up, the smoking cessation incidence was 21.1% in the intervention group compared with 6.6% in the control group (difference=14.5 confidence interval=6.1-22.8; relative risk=3.41, 95% confidence interval=1.62-7.20). The difference in the mean number of cigarettes at 6 months was significantly different (difference=-2.2, confidence interval=-3.6 to -0.9). ConclusionsA multi-component intervention tailored to college students and managed by a nurse is effective in increasing smoking cessation among college students.