The goal of this trial is to learn if chatbot-based instant messaging works to help smoking cessation in general adult smokers. It will also learn about the experience, attitude, and perception of using an LLM-based chatbot. The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. Will an engagement-focused LLM-based chatbot smoking cessation intervention have a non-inferior validated abstinence rate than the control group? 2. Will an LLM-based chatbot smoking cessation intervention have a non-inferior self-reported abstinence rate, smoking reduction rate, and smoking cessation services use rate than the control group?
Researchers will compare an LLM-based chatbot smoking-cessation intervention to a human-led instant messaging support group (brief advice based on AWARD and personalised active referral) to determine whether chatbot-based instant messaging support promotes smoking cessation.
Participants in the intervention group will receive:
1. AWARD advice 2. Personalised active referral 3. 12 weeks of chatbot-based instant messaging support (via WhatsApp)
Hong Kong residents aged 18 years or above
Smoke at least one cigarette (including heated tobacco products) per day or use an e-cigarette daily in the preceding 3 months
Able to communicate in Cantonese (including reading and writing Chinese)
Saliva cotinine level ≥30 ng/mL
Smokers who have communication barriers (either physical or cognitive)
Smokers who are currently participating in other smoking cessation programs or services
The University of Hong Kong
Lead sponsor
Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health
Collaborator