SynthesisAddictive behaviors2017
Systematic review of social media interventions for smoking cessation.
Synthesis in Addictive behaviors, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 101 papers, 9 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
101 citing papers in PubMed, 9 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Use of Mobile Technologies for Smoking Cessation Among Smokers and Former Smokers: Systematic Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Pooled it
- Social media interventions for autistic individuals: Systematic review.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2023Pooled it
- Social Media-Based Interventions for Health Behavior Change in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2022Pooled it
- The Impact and Applications of Social Media Platforms for Public Health Responses Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Literature Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2022Pooled it
- Effectiveness of Digital Interventions for Reducing Behavioral Risks of Cardiovascular Disease in Nonclinical Adult Populations: Systematic Review of Reviews.Journal of medical Internet research · 2021Pooled it
- Digital Data Sources and Their Impact on People's Health: A Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews.Frontiers in public health · 2021Pooled it
- Behavior Change Techniques Included in Reports of Social Media Interventions for Promoting Health Behaviors in Adults: Content Analysis Within a Systematic Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2020Pooled it
- Serious games for smoking prevention and cessation: A systematic review of game elements and game effects.Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association : JAMIA · 2020Pooled it
- How To Support Smoking Cessation In Primary Care And The Community: A Systematic Review Of Interventions For The Prevention Of Cardiovascular Diseases.Vascular health and risk management · 2019Pooled it
- Social Media Support Groups for Youth Nicotine Vaping Cessation: An RCT.American journal of preventive medicine · 2026Trial
- Exploring the Impact of Safer Sports Betting Promotion on Social Media: An Experimental Study.Journal of gambling studies · 2024Trial
- Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of a Social Media-Based Peer-Group Mobile Messaging Smoking Cessation Intervention Among Chinese Immigrants who Smoke: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2024Trial
- Using social media to recruit individuals for health-related research: Feasibility and lessons learned.Journal of health psychology · 2023Trial
- Implementation of a WeChat-Based Smoking Cessation Program for Chinese Smokers.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Trial
- Adaptation and Assessment of a Text Messaging Smoking Cessation Intervention in Vietnam: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 2021Trial
- Peer-Mentored Social Media Groups for Youth Vaping Cessation: Single-Arm Pilot Trial.JMIR pediatrics and parenting · 2026Article
- Does media channel matter? exploring the disparities of online and offline anti-tobacco messages and their impacts on e-cigarette harm perception and use.Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy · 2026Article
- Assessing the quality and usefulness of smoking cessation related short videos on TikTok and Bilibili: a content analysis study in China.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Preferences, experiences and needs regarding tobacco cessation expressed among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative study.BMC rheumatology · 2026Article
- Tobacco control policies discussed on social media: a scoping review.Tobacco control · 2026Article
41 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundPopular social media could extend the reach of smoking cessation efforts. In this systematic review, our objectives were: 1) to determine whether social media interventions for smoking cessation are feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective; 2) to identify approaches for recruiting subjects; and 3) to examine the specific intervention design components and strategies employed to promote user engagement and retention.
methodsWe searched Scopus, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, PsychINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science through July 2016 and reference lists of relevant articles. Included studies described social media interventions for smoking cessation and must have reported outcomes related to feasibility, acceptability, usability, or smoking-related outcomes.
resultsWe identified 7 studies (all were published since 2014) that enrolled 9755 participants (median=136 [range 40 to 9042]). Studies mainly used Facebook (n=4) or Twitter (n=2), and emerged as feasible and acceptable. Five studies reported smoking-related outcomes such as greater abstinence, reduction in relapse, and an increase in quit attempts. Most studies (n=6) recruited participants using online or Facebook advertisements. Tailored content, targeted reminders, and moderated discussions were used to promote participant engagement. Three studies found that active participation through posting comments or liking content may be associated with improved outcomes. Retention ranged from 35% to 84% (median=70%) across the included studies.
conclusionsOur review highlights the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effectiveness of social media interventions for smoking cessation. Future research should continue to explore approaches for promoting user engagement and retention, and whether sustained engagement translates to clinically meaningful smoking cessation outcomes.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.