Texting your way to staying smoke-free: hong kong study tests WhatsApp relapse prevention

NCT ID NCT05370352

Completed Prevention Sponsor: The University of Hong Kong Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether personalized chat messages via WhatsApp could help people who recently quit smoking stay smoke-free. 590 participants in Hong Kong who had quit for 3 to 30 days received either standard care or additional one-on-one messaging with a trained counselor and a chatbot. The goal was to see if mobile chat support reduces relapse rates.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: personalized chat messaging via WhatsApp
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, scalable way to help people stay smoke-free after quitting.
What could go wrong: This is a completed trial, but results are not yet widely confirmed. The effect may depend on the local context and may not apply everywhere.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Recurrence Smoking Cessation

As listed by the trial registrant

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

SMOKING CESSATION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Integrated Centre on Smoking Cessation

Hong Kong, Hong Kong
United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service Smoking Cessation Programme

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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