Smoking Cessation for Fathers of Sick Children

Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG · Jun 2, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on helping fathers of sick children quit smoking. The researchers are testing a new program that combines short advice, free samples of nicotine replacement products (like patches or gum), and support through a smartphone app. The goal is to see if this approach can help these fathers stop smoking, which can improve their health and the health of their children.

To participate, fathers must be at least 18 years old, smoke daily, and live with a child under 18 who has been to the clinic or hospitalized. They should also be able to read and communicate in Cantonese or Putonghua and own a smartphone. Children involved in the study must also be under 18, have a smoking parent, and be able to provide a saliva sample for research. If you or someone you know fits these criteria, this trial offers a chance to get support for quitting smoking, which can benefit both the father and their child’s health.

Gender

MALE

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion criteria for parents：
• • Parents (mainly fathers) aged ≥18 years and smoke at least one cigarette (including alternative tobacco products) daily in the past seven days
• • Living with a child aged \<18 years who attended the clinic or were admitted to the pediatric ward
• • Hong Kong residents able to read and communicate in Cantonese or Putonghua
• • Owned a smartphone and can use an instant messaging app (e.g., WhatsApp, Facebook) Inclusion criteria for children
• • Children aged \<18 years who attended the clinic or were admitted to the pediatric ward
• • Lives with at least one or more parents who smoke at least one cigarette (including alternative tobacco products) daily in the past seven days
• • Able to provide biochemical samples (e.g. saliva) for purpose of research
• • Exclusion criteria for parents
• • Smokers having a history of psychiatric/psychological disease or currently on regular psychotropic medications
• • Smokers using smoking cessation medications or other smoking cessation services or projects Exclusion criteria for children
• • Children who already have serious health diseases (e.g.chronic disease, genetic disease)
• • Children who are participating in other clinical trials that may affect the results of this study
• • Children who live in certain environments, such as those living in highly contaminated areas or areas with other potential disease-causing factors