Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of repeated implementation intention formation on adolescent smoking initiation: A cluster randomized controlled trial.
Open accessAbstract
OBJECTIVE: Forming implementation intentions (if-then plans) about how to refuse cigarette offers plus antismoking messages was tested for reducing adolescent smoking. METHOD: Cluster randomized controlled trial with schools randomized (1:1) to receive implementation intention intervention and messages targeting not smoking (intervention) or completing homework (control). Adolescents (11-12 years at baseline) formed implementation intentions and read messages on 8 occasions over 4 years meaning masking treatment allocation was not possible. Outcomes were: follow-up (48 months) ever smoking, any smoking in last 30 days, regular smoking, and breath carbon monoxide levels. Analyses excluded baseline ever smokers, controlled for clustering by schools and examined effects of controlling for demographic variables. Economic evaluation (incremental cost effectiveness ratio; ICER) was conducted. Trial is registered (ISRCTN27596806). RESULTS: = .016) in intervention (29.3%) compared with control (35.8%) and remained so controlling for demographics. Similar patterns observed for any smoking in last 30 days. Less consistent effects were observed for regular smoking and breath carbon monoxide levels. Economic analysis yielded an ICER of $134 per ever smoker avoided at age 15-16 years. CONCLUSIONS: This pragmatic trial supports the use of repeated implementation intentions about how to refuse the offer of a cigarette plus antismoking messages as an effective and cost-effective intervention to reduce smoking initiation in adolescents. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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In studies with the longest follow-up periods, the intervention was typically reinforced through repeated sessions, which likely contributed to the sustained effects.
“Second, in studies with the longest follow‐up periods, the intervention was typically reinforced through repeated sessions (e.g. Conner et al., 2019; Conner & Higgins, 2010), which likely contributed to the sustained effects.”
From The effectiveness of implementation intentions in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis (2026) · cites this paper as Conner et al., 2019
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“Implementation intentions have been found to be effective means to change a range of behaviors (Gollwitzer & Sheeran, 2006), including promoting smoking cessation (Armitage, 2016).”
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Parker, K., Nunns, M., Xiao, Z., Ford, T., & Ukoumunne, O. C. (2021) · BMC Medical Research Methodology · doi:10.1186/s12874-021-01348-0 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
The effectiveness of implementation intentions in children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Breitwieser, J., & Reinelt, T. (2026) · British Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjop.70065 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
- Authors
- Conner, M., Grogan, S., West, R., Simms-Ellis, R., Scholtens, K., Sykes-Muskett, B., Cowap, L., Lawton, R., Armitage, C. J., Meads, D., Schmitt, L., Torgerson, C., & Siddiqi, K.
- Affiliations
- University of Manchester (GB)
- Durham University (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Conner, Mark
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
- Published
- 2019-05
- Volume
- 87
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 422-432
- ISSN
- 0022-006X (ISSN-L)
- 1939-2117
- PMC
- PMC6474716
- OpenAlex
- W2921262281
- Cited by
- 76
- References
- 8
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 4 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 10.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- White Rose Research Online (University of Leeds, The University of Sheffield, University of York) (acceptedVersion)
- Durham Research Online (Durham University) (acceptedVersion, cc-by)
- Staffordshire Online Repository (Staffordshire University) (acceptedVersion)
- e-space (Manchester Metropolitan University) (submittedVersion)
- Durham Research Online (Durham University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Funders
- Medical Research Council (MR/J000264/1)
- National Institute for Health Research
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Keywords
- implementation intentions, adolescent smoking initiation, smoking prevention, anti-smoking messages, cost-effectiveness, school-based intervention, breath carbon monoxide
- MeSH terms
- Smoking Prevention, Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Child, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Smoking, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Intention
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