Smoking Cessation Interventions for Young Adults - A Scoping Review
Emily Peckham1, Katarzyna Machaczek2, Masuma Mishu3
1School of Health Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, UK.
Substance Use & Misuse
|July 22, 2025
Summary
Effective smoking cessation interventions for young adults are available but underutilized. This review highlights digital strategies and calls for inclusive research to address health inequalities in young smokers.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Young adults (25-34) in the UK have the highest smoking rates.
- Effective smoking cessation interventions are not always accessed by this demographic.
- This review focuses on young people, with implications for those with severe mental ill health (SMI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current literature on individual-level smoking cessation interventions for young adults.
- To understand the landscape of strategies, including digital approaches.
- To inform interventions for young people, particularly those with SMI.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review was conducted, with the protocol registered on Open Science Framework.
- Searched multiple databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ASSIA, Web of Science) for relevant studies.
- Included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) focused on individual-level smoking cessation or reduction.
Main Results:
- Thirty-one studies were included in the review.
- Interventions were categorized as non-pharmacological (20), pharmacological (2), or combined (9).
- A significant portion (15) of the studies incorporated a digitally delivered component.
Conclusions:
- Research on individual-level smoking cessation for young people is expanding.
- Digital delivery of interventions is increasingly common.
- Future RCTs must prioritize diverse young adult populations to prevent exacerbating health inequalities.
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