Modifying Tobacco and Cannabis Waste Perceptions and Behavior Among Young Adults: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

backgroundFiltered cigarettes and vaped nicotine and cannabis negatively affect health and create nonbiodegradable, toxic waste from tobacco, e-cigarette, and cannabis waste (TECW). Creating awareness and action to address this public health issue requires expanded knowledge and understanding of TECW harms and more engagement with regulatory policies to reduce tobacco and cannabis use. This is the first study testing an intervention to modify TECW knowledge, perceptions, and behavior, including use of an innovative digital TECW tracking tool.

objectiveThis study tests the efficacy of an intervention to modify TECW knowledge, harm perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors regarding smoke- and vape-free university campus policies among young adults. We aim to develop an evidence-based educational intervention for use in community programs to address TECW.

methodsA 6-week randomized controlled trial was conducted at 2 sites representing the 2 public university systems in California from March 2023 to June 2025 with 406 students (aged 18-25 years) and compared brief tobacco, e-cigarette, and cannabis waste education (TECW Ed) plus tobacco, e-cigarette, and cannabis waste education plus motivational and behavioral support (TECW Ed+) with brief education only about TECW (TECW Ed). Participants were randomized 1:1 to each treatment group, stratified by site and tobacco or cannabis use status. Outcome measures include changes in knowledge, harm perceptions, regulatory attitudes, and behaviors regarding TECW, and engagement with smoke- and vape-free policies. Planned statistical analyses include models to assess knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes at weeks 2, 6, and 26 versus group, time, and a group × time interaction, controlling for site, tobacco or cannabis use status, demographics, and baseline level of outcomes. In addition, TECW Ed+ versus TECW Ed group comparison on mean number of Tracker reports between baseline and 6 weeks, and group comparison on mean engagement score at 6 weeks, will be conducted.

resultsData were collected from March 2023 to June 2025. Data analysis is expected to begin in late 2025, with final results anticipated for publication in summer 2026. Results will determine if brief educational videos accompanied by enhanced motivational and behavioral support increase knowledge of TECW's environmental impact and change perceptions about cigarettes and vape products. We will determine whether such enhanced education increases engagement in smoke- and vape-free regulatory acceptance and improves outcomes of regulatory policies. This trial will be the first to test an intervention to modify tobacco and cannabis waste perceptions and behavior.

conclusionsThis trial aims to determine whether additional motivational and behavioral support will change young-adult college students' current knowledge of TECW and whether such support will motivate them to engage with regulatory policies to reduce TECW. If successful, scaling up this intervention may mobilize a large population of young adults to understand and advocate for policies that protect individual and environmental health.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05751369; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05751369. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/79525.