Who can join the ACT on Vaping study?

  • Individuals aged 18-30 who live in the U.S.
  • Vape at least once a week
  • Own an Android phone or iPhone
  • Willing and able to complete all study activities
  • You do not have to be ready to quit vaping to join the study.

What do I have to do?

  • Complete a 5-minute online survey to see if you are eligible to join this study.
  • If you may be eligible, read and sign the study consent form and fill out another online survey (takes 10-20 minutes).
  • You will be randomly assigned (like a toss of a coin) to receive one of two digital programs.
  • Use the study digital program over a 3-month period.
  • Respond to 3 check-in text messages. You will receive $5 for each response for a total of $15.
  • Fill out a study survey (10-20 minutes) after 3 months of being in the study. You will receive up to $50 for the completed survey.
  • Fill out a 5-minute vaping status survey after 5.5 months of being in the study. You will receive up to $35 for completing the short survey.
  • Fill out the end of study survey (10-20 minutes) after 6 months of being in the study. You will be receive up to $50 for the completed survey.
  • After completing the 3- and 6-month follow-up surveys and the 5-minute vaping status survey at 5.5-months, you may be asked to complete a saliva test. If so, you will receive up to $25 after sending us your result at each time point.
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ACT on Vaping FAQ

Who is conducting this study?

Jaimee Heffner, PhD is the Principal Investigator of this study. Dr. Heffner is a Professor in the Cancer Prevention Program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Learn more about Dr. Heffner's work here.

Who is funding this research?

The National Institutes of Health is funding this research study.

What is your confidentiality and privacy policy?

Keeping your information confidential and private is very important to us. Here's how we protect your information:

  • Your survey information will be kept strictly confidential on a secure website
  • The study website is encrypted
  • The study server is protected behind Fred Hutch hardware firewall
  • We will not use identifiable information about you in any reports about this study, such as journal articles or presentations at scientific meetings
  • This research study is covered by a Certificate of Confidentiality from the U.S. government. This Certificate helps protect the confidentiality of information about people who join this study by prohibiting disclosure of identifiable, sensitive research information to anyone not connected to the research, except if the participant consents and a few other specific situations. You can learn more about this here (Certificates of Confidentiality (CoC) - Human Subjects | grants.nih.gov)

How long is this study?

If you enroll, you'll participate in this study for 6 months.

What will I get if I become a study participant?

If you join the study, you’ll receive access to a digital program at no cost to you and will receive compensation up to $231 for completing study activities.

What is the difference between the two digital programs?

Both programs include apps that can help you better understand your vaping and explore quitting. Both programs include text messages. One program helps to explore personal values and learn acceptance-based coping skills and the other provides information about the quitting process and the health benefits of quitting vaping.

Is this study intended to provide mental health care?

This study is not intended to provide mental health care. Should you experience mental health difficulties or suicidal thoughts, please seek assistance from a healthcare provider or crisis line:

  • National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

Does study staff monitor my survey responses and reach out if I need help?

No, the responses to the survey questions are not monitored. Should you need assistance with mental health, please see a health care professional or call or text 988. If you need help completing study-related activities (e.g., technical issues), you should contact the study manager by email at ACTonVaping@fredhutch.org or by phone at 206.667.2428.

What information is tracked when I sign up for the study?

If you are eligible to participate and complete all the required questions and forms to be in the study, we will send you a text message with a link. When you click on this link, we will receive information about your smartphone device so we can verify that you are able to receive SMS text messages. We will also record your IP address as part of our eligibility checks.

If you choose to participate in the study and you learned about the study from an online advertisement, we will share with Meta your IP address and whether you accessed a web page that is only available to study participants. Meta will not be able to access any other information you provide for study purposes, such as information that you provide in study surveys. The purpose of sharing this information is to improve our social media advertisements and reach more people who may want to participate. This information will be shared only once. If you consent to participate in the study, you will be unable to opt out of sharing this information.

What information do you keep about me and/or my browser if I use the study website?

We will keep information about your IP address if you enroll in this study. We will also maintain a list of dates/times you use the program, and the parts of the program that you used.

How can I delete my Google Play and Apple app account identity?

Please email the study team at ACTonVaping@fredhutch.org to request to delete your Google Play and Apple ACT on Vaping app account identity.

What other options do I have if I do not want to take part in this study?

You do not have to join this study. You are free to say "yes" or "no". If you decide not to take part in this study, you can still receive treatment to help you to quit vaping. Other options may include:

  • Talking to your doctor
  • National Cancer Institute’s tobacco cessation websites (which includes information on vaping), apps, and text messaging programs: see www.smokefree.gov
  • Your state quitline (available in all 50 states) by calling 800-QUIT-NOW
  • Truth Initiative's This is Quitting text messaging program (text DITCHVAPE to 88709)

Any questions? Please email us at ACTonVaping@fredhutch.org