# Development of an online, theory-based intervention to reduce e-cigarette use and susceptibility to smoking in young adults: A pilot study

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2023 · $184,540

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
There has been widespread proliferation of e-cigarette use (i.e., vaping) among young adults (YAs), as well as
evidence of strong associations between vaping with cigarette initiation and continued smoking. Despite this,
there are no evidence-based vaping interventions with tailored content specifically for YAs that is easily
accessible to this age group (i.e., online and viewable on mobile phones) and targets smoking
susceptibility. Perceived social norms, such as overestimations of how prevalent and accepted vaping and
smoking are, and misperceptions of the harms of vaping and smoking appear to play key roles in YA vaping
and smoking behaviors. Indeed, beliefs about social norms, perceptions of harm, and motivations associated
with vaping and smoking are linked to vaping frequency and likelihood of smoking onset among YAs; thus,
targeting these in a brief intervention can be efficacious. Vaping and smoking prevalence and acceptance will
be collected from a longitudinal cohort of YAs ages 18-22 (N~2200; Aim 1). These data from Aim 1 will be
used to develop and beta test a brief, online intervention that incorporates personalized normative feedback
(PNF), aspects informed by Motivational Interviewing, and education to address misperceptions about vaping
and smoking norms and harm. As part of this aim, we will evaluate acceptability and feasibility of intervention
content, including believability of the norms presented and interest in the content (Aim 2). The finalized
intervention will then be pilot tested among YA current e-cigarette users who have never smoked (N = 50) with
an assessment-only control (N = 50; Aim 3) to determine efficacy of the program in reducing vaping frequency
and smoking susceptibility. Results from this project will be informative in (1) elucidating social and cognitive
factors that contribute to and maintain vaping behaviors in YAs and (2) inform future intervention approaches
designed to mitigate the risks of nicotine dependence among the rapidly increasing population of young
vapers. Results will be used as framework for an R01 application to conduct a larger randomized controlled
trial to test the efficacy of this intervention. I enter this project with strong quantitative skills as a clinical
researcher with growing proficiency in tobacco research. This K01 is essential for me to develop additional
expertise in areas that will support my objectives of becoming an independent, multidisciplinary investigator of
determinants of substance use in YAs. This proposal will afford me with protected research time to develop
expertise in a) predictors of addiction and its application to tobacco-product use in youth, b) technology-based
substance use intervention development and evaluation, and c) longitudinal study design and advanced
analytic methodologies, with mentorship to further refine my skills in the application of my research to inform
policy, prevention, and early intervention efforts. I have ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10664232
- **Project number:** 1K01DA056699-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Denise Dao Tran
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $184,540
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-03-15 → 2028-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10664232

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10664232, Development of an online, theory-based intervention to reduce e-cigarette use and susceptibility to smoking in young adults: A pilot study (1K01DA056699-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10664232. Licensed CC0.

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