Health · Medical Research · 2 hrs ago
Cash rewards increased smoking abstinence in trial of underserved patients
A trial at five US medical centers tested ways to help underserved adults quit smoking after they were referred for lung cancer screening.
The 3,220 participants were at least 18 and included Black and Hispanic adults, rural residents, and people with lower incomes or limited formal education.
Participants received usual care, free stop-smoking medication, cash rewards for verified abstinence, or those options plus text messages prompting them to imagine a smoke-free future.
Six months after their planned quit date, 4.3% of those who received usual care had quit, compared with 8.8% of those offered cash rewards.
The rate was 7.2% when the text-message tool was added to medication and rewards, while adding medication to usual care alone did not improve the result.
The trial included people regardless of whether they were already motivated to quit, and rewards were paid only after abstinence was verified.
The findings suggest cash rewards may help more people quit, though most participants were still smoking at six months.
A trial of 3,220 medically underserved adults found that financial incentives increased sustained smoking abstinence compared with usual care.
At six months, abstinence was 8.8% among participants offered incentives, compared with 4.3% receiving usual ask-advise-refer care.
The trial also tested free smoking-cessation medication and a mobile tool that prompted participants to imagine a smoke-free future.
Adding free medication to usual care resulted in 5.1% abstinence, while the group offered incentives and the mobile tool had 7.2% abstinence.
The study enrolled adults referred for lung cancer screening who smoked and met criteria related to race or ethnicity, rural residence, or socioeconomic status.
- Who
- 3,220 medically underserved adults who smoked and were referred for lung cancer screening.
- What
- A trial compared usual care with added medication, financial incentives, and a mobile health tool to support quitting.
- When
- The study was published on October 12, 2026. The trial dates are not stated.
- Where
- Five US medical centers within four health systems.
- Why
- Researchers tested ways to promote smoking cessation among underserved patients, including people not selected for motivation to quit.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Researchers assessed 9,963 patients for eligibility and randomized 3,259.
Researchers included 3,220 participants in the primary analysis.
Sustained abstinence was 4.3% with usual care, 5.1% with added medication, 8.8% with incentives, and 7.2% with incentives plus the mobile tool.
- Participants in primary analysis
- 3,220
- Trial sites
- 5 US medical centers within 4 health systems
- Abstinence with usual care
- 4.3%
- Abstinence with financial incentives
- 8.8%
- Maximum incentive payments
- Up to $600
Sources
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