Evaluation of a Smoking Cessation Intervention for Parents.

The aim to study is to conduct a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the effect of a telephone counseling intervention to aid smoking cessation in smoking parents. Parents will be proactively recruited through their childrens' elementary schools and randomized to the intervention condition or a control condition. In addition to the evaluation of the effectiveness of the intervention, we will test the preventive effects of parental smoking cessation on smoking-related cognitions (e.g., intention to smoke, self-efficacy, pros and cons of smoking, smoking norms) in their children.

Telephone counseling is effective in aiding smoking cessation. The proportion of successful cessation after 3 months and 12 months will be significantly higher in the intervention condition compared to the control condition. Additionally, children of parents in the intervention condition will be more likely to have more negative attitudes and norms towards smoking, higher self-efficacy, and a lower intention to start smoking compared to children of parents in the control condition.

1. 0 (start);

2. After 3 months;

3. After 12 months (end).



In the present study, we will primarily use validated measures (e.g., the FTND to assess nicotine dependence).

Additionally, we will use measures that are commonly employed in recent literature (e.g. self-reported abstinence rates to assess smoking cessation).

Incidentally, we will use measures that are novel or author-constructed.

In the intervention condition, a telephone counseling intervention will be delivered in collaboration with STIVORO (independent expert centre for tobacco control). The intervention consists of one intake call (20-30 minutes) and up to six additional telephone calls (10 minutes). All phone calls will be initiated by the counselor. Telephone counseling will take place during a period of three months and integrates motivational interviewing’s counseling style and cognitive-behavioral skill building components. Additionally, participants will receive three supplementary brochures providing further information about smoking and smoking cessation, motivation- and skill-enhancing messages, tips for quitting smoking, and cognitive-behavioural skill-building exercises.



In the control condition, participants will receive a standard brochure to aid smoking cessation.