Digital ads take on vaping: can a scroll change a habit?

NCT ID NCT04867668

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether anti-vaping and anti-smoking ads on social media can prevent tobacco use in young adults ages 18-24. Researchers randomly assigned 2,800 participants to see different amounts of digital ads and measured their vaping and smoking habits over 30 days. The goal is to find out if online campaigns can effectively discourage tobacco use in this age group.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Anti-vaping and anti-smoking digital advertising

What this could lead to

If successful, this could show that social media ads are an effective way to prevent young adults from starting to vape or smoke.

What could go wrong

This is a completed study, but results may not apply to all young adults since participants were from a specific online panel. The effect may also depend on how much ad exposure people actually get.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

nicotine dependence Smoking Tobacco Use Vaping

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health

    Washington D.C., District of Columbia, 20052, United States