Abstract
INTRODUCTION: First Responders are three times more likely to use smokeless tobacco than those in the general population and very few targeted cessation interventions are available. METHODS: The #EnufSnuff.TXT First Responder text-based intervention (n = 30), which includes an optional reduction component and tailored text-messages for cessation, was administered alongside the Enough Snuff Intervention (n = 30), which includes a cessation booklet and general support texts. Both groups received a 4-week supply of 4 mg Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) lozenges to assist with cessation. We surveyed participants 30 days post-intervention initiation to assess feasibility, acceptability, and Smokeless Tobacco cessation outcomes. A subset of participants participated in qualitative interviews to assess feedback on the intervention. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: Feasibility benchmarks for recruitment, retention, and engagement were met. Both programs helped First Responders quit. The respective quit rate for #EnufSnuff.TXT-FR arm was higher compared to Enough Snuff was 40% vs 33% (OR = 1.33, p = 0.5925; RR = 1.20, p = 0.5935) for the intent-to-treat cases and 52% vs 44% (OR = 1.41, p = 0.5555; RR = 1.20, p = 0.5570) for the completers. A text-based cessation intervention was found to be feasible and represents a scalable intervention approach and both interventions produced high quit rates. Larger scale efficacy testing is warranted. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05111041?term=NCT05111041&rank=1, identifier NCT05111041.