App for Reducing Cravings to Smoke

Participants will be asked to use a recently developed study smartphone application to reduce cravings to smoke for a 5-week period. Through the app, participants will be exposed to smoking extinction trials daily. Participants will be encouraged and reminded to complete 2-5 extinction sessions per day. Each session will present 3-8 cues, and each cue will be presented for 20-40 seconds (average amount of extinction per day will be about 10 minutes). Participants will be encouraged to conduct the extinction sessions when high cravings are expected.

Quitline coaches use cognitive behavioral therapy, reinforcement, and principles of self-efficacy to promote effective behavior change. The quitline approach includes 5 key elements: setting a quit date, coping with triggers, effectively using medications, tobacco proofing, and social support. Individuals who enroll in the quitline's multi-call program receive phone calls and NRT.

In addition to quitline services, participants will download a study app that will allow them to track smoking urges and abstinence. After 48 hours of self-reported abstinence, those in the intervention group will be exposed to smoking extinction trials through the study smartphone app.